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INTRODUCTION 


PHRENOLOGY. 


ROBERT  MACNISH,  LL.D. 


Author  of  "  The  Anatomy  of  Drunkenness"  and  "  The  Philosophy  of  Sleep,"  and  Member  of 
the  Faculty  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Glasgow. 


SECOND  EDITION. 


ENLARGED,  AND  ILLUSTRATED  BY  THIRTY  FOUR  ENGRAVINGS. 


GLASGOW: 

JOHN  SYMINGTON  &  CO. 

EDINBURGH:— OLIVER  AND  BOYD. 

LONDON;— WHITTAKER  &  CO. 


MDCCCXXXVII. 


TO 


ROBERT  COX,  Esq. 

CONSERVATOR  OF  THE  MUSEUM  OF  THE  PHRENOLOGICAL  SOCIETY, 
EDINBURGH,; 


THIS  WORK 


IS  INSCRIBED,  BY  HIS  FRIEND, 


THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE 


THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


The  success  of  this  work  has  greatly  exceeded  the  expec- 
tations of  the  author.  Two  thousand  copies  of  the  first 
edition  were  issued,  and  six  months  sufficed  to  exhaust  the 
whole  number.  The  book  has  also  been  printed  by  Messrs. 
Marsh,  Capen,  and  Lyon  of  Boston,  in  the  United  States, 
and  with  every  prospect  of  an  equally  rapid  circulation  in 
that  country.  These  circumstances  speak  well  for  Phren- 
ology, both  in  Great  Britain  and  America.  In  the  present 
edition,  the  work  wears  an  entirely  new  aspect.  It  has 
been,  in  a  great  measure,  re-written;  and  besides  much  new 
matter,  contains  a  series  of  illustrations  in  wood,  executed 
by  Mr.  Bruce  of  Edinburgh,  the  most  skilful  engraver  of 
phrenological  subjects  in  this  country.  The  method  of 
question  and  answer,  the  propriety  of  which  at  first  seemed 
doubtful,  appears  to  have  been  generally  approved  of.     For 


a  short  treatise  on  a  debateable  subject  like  Phrenology  it 
is  well  adapted,  in  so  far  as  it  affords  an  opportunity  of 
bringing  prominently  forward  all  the  objections,  however 
important  or  frivolous,  which  have  been  made  to  the  science, 
and  of  meeting  them  with  suitable  replies. 

R.  M. 


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'i\    liuitalion 

CLASSIFICATION  OF  THE  FACULTIES. 


ORDER  I.— FEELINGS,  OR  AFFECTIVE  FACULTIES. 


Genus  I. — Propensities. 

1.  Araativeness.  f  Alimentiveness 

2.  Philoprogenitiveness.  Love  of  Life. 

3.  Concentrativeness.  7.   Secretiveness. 

4.  Adhesiveness.  8.   Acquisitiveness. 

5.  Combativeness.  9.   Constructiveness. 

6.  Destructiveness. 


Genus  II. — Sentiments. 
Species  1 — Inferior  Sentiments. 

10.  Self- Esteem.  12.   Cautiousness. 

11.  Love  of  Approbation. 


Species  2. — Superior  Sentiments. 

13.  Benevolence.  18.  Wonder. 

14.  Veneration.  19.  Ideality. 

15.  Firmness.  20.  Wit. 

16.  Conscientiousness.  21.  Imitation. 

17.  Hope. 


ORDER  II.— INTELLECTUAL  FACULTIES. 


Genus  I. — The  External  Senses. 

Feeling.  Hearing. 

Taste.  Sight. 

Smell.  Mechanical  Resistance. 


Genus  II. — The  Perceptive,  or  Knowing  Faculties. 

Species  1. — Intellectual  Faculties  which  take  cognizance  of  the  ex- 
istence of  external  objects,  and  their  physical  qualities. 

22.  Individuality.  25.   Weight. 

23.  Form.  26.   Colouring. 

24.  Size. 


Species  2. — Intellectual  Faculties  which  take  cognizance  of  the 
relations  of  external  objects. 

27.  Locality.  31.   Time. 

28.  Number.  32.   Tune. 

29.  Order.  33.   Language. 

30.  Eventuality. 


Genus  III. — Reflective  Faculties. 
34.   Comparison.  35.   Causality. 


INTRODUCTION. 


My  first  ideas  of  Phrenology  were  obtained  from  Dr.  Gall 
himself,  its  founder,  whose  lectures  I  attended  in  Paris 
during  the  year  1825.  Before  that  time  I,  in  common  with 
almost  all  who  are  ignorant  of  the  subject,  spoke  of  it  with 
great  contempt,  and  took  every  opportunity  of  turning  it 
into  ridicule.  The  discourses  of  this  great  man,  and  several 
private  conversations  which  I  had  the  honour  of  holding  with 
him,  produced  a  total  change  in  my  ideas,  and  convinced  me 
that  the  doctrines  he  taught,  so  far  from  deserving  the  absurd 
treatment  which  they  then  generally  met  with,  were,  in 
themselves,  highly  beautiful  as  expositions  of  the  human 
mind  in  its  various  phases,  and  every  way  worthy  of  atten- 
tion. Much  reflection  and  many  appeals  to  nature,  since  that 
period,  have  satisfied  me  of  their  truth. 

Few  subjects  have  encountered  such  persevering  hostility 
as  the  doctrines  in  question ;  and  persons  now  commencing 
the  study  can  have  little  idea  of  the  gross  insults  heaped  upon 
its  early  cultivators  by  those  who  pretended  to  rule  public 
opinion  in  matters  of  science  and  literature.  Such  usage, 
however,  is  not  without  many  parallels  in  the  history  of  the 
world.  Persecution  is  the  reward  of  innovation  in  whatever 
form  that  appears.  To  the  truth  of  this  assertion  the  banish- 
ment of  Pythagoras,  the  poison  cup  of  Socrates  and  the 
dungeon  gloom  of  Galileo  bear  ample  testimony.  In  our 
own  country  the  sublime  discoveries  of  Newton  were  long 
a  2 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

violently  opposed,  and  Harvey,  for  ascertaining  the  most 
important  fact  in  modern  physiology,  the  circulation  of  the 
blood,  was  rewarded  with  abuse  and  the  loss  of  his  practice. 
In  France  things  were  no  better — Descartes,  one  of  the 
greatest  geniuses  that  ever  lived,  having  had  the  charge  of 
atheism  levelled  against  him  for  maintaining  the  doctrine  of 
innate  ideas.  The  stale  trick  of  representing  discoveries  in 
science  as  hostile  to  religion,  has,  indeed,  always  been  a  fa- 
vourite one  with  the  enemies  of  knowledge,  and  even  in  these 
comparatively  enlightened  times  is  frequently  had  recourse 
to  by  the  designing  and  the  ignorant.  Nothing  is  more  com- 
mon than  to  hear  modern  geology  denounced  as  at  variance 
with  the  word  of  God,  and  its  cultivators  held  up  as  a  con- 
clave of  infidels ;  nor  has  Phrenology  escaped  the  same  absurd 
charge,  in  the  face  of  the  notorious  truth,  that  it  is  openly 
advocated  by  some  of  the  most  intelligent  and  pious  of  our 
clergy,  and  that  the  parent  Phrenological  Society  was  founded 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Welsh,  Professor  of  Church  History  in  the 
University  of  Edinburgh.1 

Had  the  hostility  to  the  Phrenological  doctrines  been  con- 
fined to  the  weak-minded  and  illiterate,  the  circumstance  would 
have  excited  no  surprise,  but  at  the  first  announcement  of 
the  science  we  find  it  assaulted  on  all  sides  by  the  learning 


1  "  I  think  it  right  to  declare  that  I  have  found  the  greatest  benefit  from 
the  science  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  I  have  been  led  to  study  the  evi- 
dences of  Christianity  anew,  in  connexion  with  Phrenology,  and  I  feel  my 
confidence  in  the  truth  of  our  holy  religion  increased  by  this  new  examin- 
ation. I  have  examined  the  doctrines  of  our  church  also,  one  by  one,  in 
connexion  with  the  truths  of  our  new  science,  and  have  found  the  most 
wonderful  harmony  subsisting  between  them.  And  in  dealing  with  my 
people  in  the  ordinary  duties  of  my  calling,  the  practical  benefit  I  have 
derived  from  Phrenology  is  inestimable." — Rev.  Br.  Welsh,  See  Phrenolo- 
gical Journal^  vol.  v.  p.  1 10. 

"  That  the  religious  and  moral  objections  against  the  phrenological  theory 
are  utterly  futile,  I  have  from  the  first  been  fully  convinced."—  Whatley> 
Lord  Archbishop  of  Dublin. 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

and  reputation  of  Europe.  These  attacks  it  has  calmly  and 
dispassionately  met,  and  who  that  has  surveyed  the  contest 
will  have  the  hardihood  to  say  that  it  has  not  triumphed  ? 
A  more  striking  instance  of  the  impossibility  of  Stirling  truth, 
has  never  been  presented  to  the  world,  than  in  the  victorious 
struggle  of  this  science. 

One  of  the  most  virulent  attacks  upon  the  new  doctrines 
was  made  in  the  49th  number  of  the  Edinburgh  Review  by 
the  late  Dr  John  Gordon,  who  not  contented  with  unfairly 
misstating  them,  according  to  the  usual  practice  of  their  op- 
ponents, demeaned  himself  by  indulging  in  acrimonious  per- 
sonalities against  the  characters  of  Gall  and  Spurzheim. 
This  attack,  which  in  truth  displayed  nothing  but  gross 
ignorance  and  unbounded  misrepresentation,  was  duly  met 
and  its  various  delinquencies  exposed  by  the  latter  of 
these  distinguished  men.  Lord  Jeffrey  in  the  88th  number 
of  the  same  able  work  repeated  the  assault,  only,  however, 
to  meet  with  a  confutation  equally  conclusive  from  the 
pen  of  Mr.  Combe.  The  attack  was  elegant,  lively  and 
satirical,  and  written  in  a  not  ungentlemanly  spirit,  but  the 
accomplished  writer  lacked  knowledge  of  the  subject,  and 
fell  an  easy  victim  before  the  well  stored  armoury  of 
facts  and  reasonings,  with  which  he  was  encountered  by 
his  acute  antagonist.2      An  elaborate  article  by  Dr.  Roget, 

2  Some  of  the  observations  in  the  Edinburgh  Review  are  amusing. 
Take  the  following  as  examples : — 

'*  To  enter  on  a  particular  refutation  of  them,  (the  opinions  of  Gall 
and  Spurzheim)  would  be  to  insult  the  understandings  of  our  readers." — 
"  We  look  upon  the  whole  doctrines  taught  by  these  two  modern  Peripa- 
tetics, anatomical,  physiological,  and  physiognomical,  as  a  piece  of  thorough 
quackery  from  beginning  to  end  ;  and  we  are  persuaded  that  every  intelli- 
gent person,  who  takes  the  trouble  to  read  a  single  chapter  of  the  volumes 
before  us,  will  view  them  precisely  in  the  same  light."— "They  are  a  collec- 
tion of  mere  absurdities,  without  truth,  connexion  or  consistency,  an  in- 
coherent rhapsody,  which  nothing  could  have  induced  any  man  to  have 
presented  to  the  public,  under  pretence  of  instructing  them,  but  absolute 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

iu  the  supplement  to  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica,  was  also 
replied  to  by  Mr.  Combe,  and  from  this  article  having 
been  withheld  from  the  new  edition  of  the  work,  we  may 
conclude  that  neither  the  doctor  nor  his  publishers  were 
satisfied  with  the  success  of  their  experiment.  From  the 
extensive  knowledge  of  Sir  William  Hamilton,  much  was 
expected  in  the  way  of  opposition,  but  he  fared  no  better 
than  his  predecessors.  The  same  may  be  said  of  Drs.  Stone, 
Barclay,  Prichard,  Bostock,  and  in  truth,  of  all  who  have 
attacked  the  science.  The  whole  body  of  crusaders  against 
Phrenology  are  characterized  by  one  curious  feature.  Each 
individual  combatant  imagines  that  he  has  annihilated  the 
doctrines,  and  that  they  will  never  more  be  heard  of;  each 
employs  the  same  arguments  as  if  they  had  never  been  used 
before;  each  is  in  a  state  of  perfect  ignorance,  with  respect 
to  the  manner  in  which  these  arguments  have  already  been 
disposed  of;  and  finally,  each  invariably  gives  a  false  and 
distorted  representation  of  the  science.  Few  of  those  who 
have  written  against  it,  have  done  so  in  a  generous,  truth- 
loving  mood.  An  unaccountable  spirit  of  hatred  has  con- 
fused their  perceptions,  and  rendered  men  whose  talents 
ought  to  have  made  them  formidable  in  the  field  of  con- 
troversy, weak  and  inefficient  as  children.  Hence,  in  every 
contest  with  their  opponents,  they  have  been  defeated;  nor 


insanity,  gross  ignorance,  or  the  most  matchless  assurance."—"  Such  is  the 
trash,  the  despicable  trumpery,  which  two  men  calling  themselves  scientific 
inquirers,  have  the  impudence  gravely  to  present  to  the  physiologists  of  the 
nineteenth  century  as  specimens  of  reasoning  and  induction.  "—Dr.  Gor- 
don, in  No.  xlix. 

"  Every  one  of  course,  has  heard  of  Dr.  Gall's  craniology,  and  seen  his 
plaster  heads  mapped  out  into  territories  of  some  thirty  or  forty  indepen- 
dent  faculties.  Long  before  this  time,  we  confess,  we  expected  to  have  seen 
them  turned  into  toys  for  children,  and  this  folly  consigned  to  that  great 
limbo  of  vanity  to  which  the  dreams  of  alchemy,  sympathetic  medicine,  and 
animal  magnetism  had  passed  before  it." — Lord  Jeffrey  in  No.  lxxxviii. 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

has  this  taken  place  because  the  phrenologists  possessed 
the  advantages  of  superior  talent  and  logical  acumen,  but 
simply  because  they  entered  the  arena  backed  by  truth. 
Without  this  indispensable  ingredient,  the .  greatest  natural 
powers  go  for  nothing  in  a  question  of  facts,  and  with  it 
the  meanest  become  formidable.3 

Great  progress  has  been  made  by  the  science  within  the 
last  ten  years,  especially  in  Great  Britain,  France,  and  the 
United  States.  It  has  met  with  considerable  success  in 
Sweden  and  Denmark,  and  has  even  succeeded  in  forcing 
its  way  into  Italy.  The  late  Professor  Uccelli  of  Florence 
was  a  phrenologist.  For  this  heinous  offence  he  lost  his 
chair  in  the  university  of  that  city,  and  was  persecuted  with 
all  the  blind  malice  of  bigotry  and  intolerance.  Two  of 
the  best  phrenologists  in  the  north,  are  Drs.  Hoppe  and  Otto, 
both  eminent  Danish  physicians,  the  latter  Professor  of 
Materia  Medica,  and  Medical  Jurisprudence  in  the  univer- 
sity of  Copenhagen.  Berzelius  of  Stockholm,  the  most  illus- 
trious of  living  chemists,  has  become  a  convert  to  the  science, 
and  Andral,  Broussais,  Cloquet,  Bouillaud,  Sanson,  Voisin , 
Falret,  and  Vimont,  who  are  among  the  greatest  medical 
characters  in  the  French  capital,  have  done  the  same.4     The 


3  Those  who  intend  writing  against  Phrenology,  will  save  themselves  the 
trouble  of  repeating  stale  and  often  confuted  arguments,  by  perusing  the 
different  attacks  made  on  the  science,  and  the  answers  which  have  been  made 
to  them.  A  full  list  of  these  attacks  and  replies  will  be  found  in  an  article 
entitled  "  Phrenological  Controversies,"  in  the  Phrenogical  Journal,  vol. 
x.  p.  150. 

4  Many  other  able  physicians  are  also  members.  Among  a  multitude  of 
non-medical  names  I  find  the  following,  some  of  them  men  of  considerable 
eminence.— Blondeau,  Dean  of  the  Faculty  of  Law,  David,  the  celebrated 
sculptor,  the  Duke  of  Montobello  (peer  of  France),  Julien  director  of  the 
"  Revue  Eneyclopedique",Poncelet,  Professor  of  the  Faculty  of  Law,  Comte, 
Professor  of  Philosophy  to  the  Athenaeum,  Royer,  Chief  Secretary  to  the 
Administration  of  the  Garden  of  Plants,  Les  Cases  and  Ternaux,  members 
of  the  Chamber  of  Deputies,  &c.  &c. 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

conversion  of  the  last  of  these  eminent  men  is  curious,  and 
forms  a  memorable  fact  in  the  history  of  Phrenology.  Hav- 
ing attended  Gall,  he  thought  he  could  easily  refute  his 
doctrines,  and  for  this  purpose  made  a  vast  collection  of 
specimens,  chiefly  of  skulls  of  the  lower  animals  ;  but  the 
very  evidence  he  was  thus  accumulating  for  the  overthrow 
of  the  science  had  entirely  the  opposite  effect.  It  satisfied 
him  of  its  truth,  and  led  to  the  publication  of  his  magnificent 
work  on  "  Human  and  Comparative  Phrenology."  A  Phreno- 
gical  Society,  numbering  among  its  members  many  of  the 
ablest  scientific  and  literary  men  of  Paris,  has  for  some 
years  been  in  active  existence.  By  this  body,  a  journal, 
exclusively  devoted  to  the  subject,  and  containing  many 
admirable  papers,  is  regularly  published.  Great  zeal  for 
Phrenology  exists  in  the  United  States.  Dr.  Caldwell  of 
Lexington,  Kentucky,  has  written  with  uncommon  talent 
upon  the  subject,  and  a  valuable  work  entitled  "  Annals  of 
Phrenology  "  is  issued  periodically  at  Boston.  In  that  city 
a  Phrenological  Library  is  in  the  course  of  publication,  con- 
sisting of  reprints  of  all  the  best  works  which  have  ap- 
peared on  the  science,  embodying  also  a  translation,  in  six 
volumes,  of  Dr.  Gall's  unrivalled  work  Sur  les  Fonctions  du 
Cerveau.  Mr.  Lawrence,  one  of  the  first  surgeons  and 
physiologists  in  this  country,  is  favourable  to  the  doctrines. 
In  London,  they  have  been  supported  with  great  power  of 
reasoning  by  Dr.  Elliotson;  and  such  able  physicians  as 
Mackintosh  of  Edinburgh,  Marsh  of  Dublin,  and  Barlow  of 
Bath,  have  not  hesitated  openly  and  unscrupulously  to 
adopt  them.  For  more  than  ten  years  the  Medico- Chirur- 
gical  Review  and  Lancet,  the  ablest  medical  periodicals  in 
Great  Britain,  have  honourably  distinguished  themselves  in 
defence  of  the  same  cause.  In  Germany  the  science  has  pros- 
pered less  than  almost  any  where  else  in  civilized  Europe,  thus 
verifying  the  old  adage  that  "prophets  are  never  esteemed  in 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

their  own  country."  Even  there,  however,  the  rapid  sale  of  a 
recent  translation  of  Mr.  Combe's  "  System  of  Phrenology," 
by  Dr.  Hirschfeld  of  Bremen,  proves  that  public  attention 
has  at  length  been  awakened  to  it ;  and  there  are  good 
grounds  for  believiug  that  the  celebrated  Blumenbach,  con- 
trary to  the  general  understanding  upon  the  subject,  decid- 
edly favours  its  pretensions.5  Yet  we  are  told  that  no 
men  of  eminence,  have  become  converts  to  the  science. 
The  names  here  recorded  sufficiently  refute  this  assertion ; 
and  the  Phrenological  Societies  of  London,  Edinburgh,  and 
Paris,  can  boast  of  names  inferior  in  talent  and  reputation 
to  none  in  Europe.  Considering  the  opposition  which  Gall's 
doctrines  have  met  with,  their  acceptance  by  so  large  a  por- 
tion cf  the  public,  is  matter  of  wonder  rather  than  otherwise. 
Newton's  sublime  discoveries  met  with  no  such  prompt  recep- 
tion. They  were  long  acrimoniously  opposed  in  his  own 
country,  and  at  his  death,  more  than  forty  years  after  the 
publication  of  the  Principia,  he  had  not  above  twenty  fol- 
lowers on  the  Continent.6 

The  advance  which  Phrenology  has  made  against  the  vast 
difficulties  it  has  had  to  encounter,  is  indeed  matter  of  con- 
gratulation, but  much  remains  yet  to  be  achieved.  The 
weight  of  the  Universities,  and  other  seats  of  learning,  bears 
strongly  against  it.  There  the  metaphysics  of  the  schools 
have  been  entrenched  for  ages,  and  will  not  surrender  with- 
out a  desperate  struggle.  The  middle-aged  and  the  elderly 
of  the  existing  race,  must  die  out  before  the  new  philosophy 
displays  its  full  power.  It  is  among  the  young,  those  whose 
minds  have  not  been  pre-occupied  by  other  systems,  and 

5  See  Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  viii.  p.  531. 

6  For  a  complete  account  of  the  present  state  of  the  science,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  Mr.  Watson's  excellent  work,  entitled  "  Statistics  of  Phren- 
ology." 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

whose  judgments  are  yet  free  and  unshackled,  that  it  is 
spreading  most  triumphantly.  Its  simple,  intelligible  and 
eminently  practical  character  fits  it  admirably  for  unso- 
phisticated youth,  and  it  is  pleasing  to  behold  the  steady 
progress  which  it  is  making  among  the  young  of  both  sexes. 
Even  into  colleges  it  is  finding  an  entrance.  Students  in 
the  metaphysical  classes  are  beginning  to  imbue  their  essays 
with  phrenological  doctrines,  either  openly  or  in  disguise, 
to  the  great  horror  of  their  professors,  some  of  whom  have 
thought  fit  to  denounce,  ex  cathedra,  the  hundred-headed 
monster  which  has  thus  presumed  to  show  its  detested  pre- 
sence within  the  walls  of  Alma  Mater. 

Some  people  declare  that  they  believe  in  the  general 
principles  of  Phrenology,  but  not  in  its  details.  It  would 
be  far  better  to  reject  the  science  altogether,  than  indulge 
in  such  unmeaning  perversion  of  language.  All  general 
principles  are  made  up  from  details,  and  if  the  latter  are 
faulty  so  must  be  the  former.  To  say  that  we  believe 
in  the  integrity  of  a  whole,  yet  deny  the  soundness  of 
the  parts  composing  it  is  a  pure  absurdity.  What  would 
be  thought  of  that  man's  intellect  who  acknowledged  a 
certain  ship  of  war  to  be  perfectly  sound  and  sea-worthy, 
and  yet  declared  the  timbers  of  which  it  was  constructed 
to  be  rotten  ?  To  admit  the  principles  of  Phrenology,  and 
yet  deny  the  details  which  give  these  principles  existence,  is 
not  less  preposterous. 

It  has  been  objected  to  the  science  that  certain  erudite 
bodies  have  expressed  their  disbelief  in  it.  When,  however, 
it  is  known  that  these  bodies  know  little  or  nothing  of  its 
true  character,  this  objection  will  not,  with  any  man  of  sense, 
weigh  a  single  straw  in  the  balance.  Newton's  discoveries  were 
not  proved  to  be  false,  because  the  University  of  Oxford 
resisted  them  for  half  a  century.  The  opinions  of  all  the 
learned  associations  in  Europe,  are  valueless  upon  a  subject 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

of  which  they  are  ignorant.  Nor  is  the  objection,  that  the  ma- 
jority of  medical  men  are  hostile  to  Phrenology  better  founded. 
Let  it  not  be  forgotten,  that  the  most  eminent  members  of 
the  profession  long  opposed  the  doctrine  of  the  circulation 
of  the  blood,  now  universally  admitted  by  physiologists. 
On  a  matter  which  he  has  never  studied,  the  opinion  of  a 
medical  man  is  no  better  than  that  of  another  person ;  and 
the  general  ignorance  of  the  profession  regarding  Phren- 
ology, is  too  well  known  to  require  demonstration.  The 
existing  race  of  medical  students,  however,  are  beginning 
to  pay  due  attention  to  it;  and,  by  and  by,  a  knowledge  of 
the  subject  will  be  so  generally  diffused  among  practitioners, 
that  he  who  is  deficient  in  this  respect,  will  be  considered 
to  have  neglected  an  important  branch  of  his  professional 
studies.  The  light  which  this  science  throws  upon  the 
physiology  and  pathology  of  the  brain,  and  especially  on 
the  numerous  class  of  mental  diseases,  is  immense,  and  can 
only  be  appreciated  by  those  who  have  turned  their  atten- 
tion to  it. 

The  superiority  of  the  phrenological  doctrines  over  every 
previous  system  of  mental  philosophy,  consists  in  this — that 
their  truth  can  be  demonstrated  with  the  same  facility  as 
any  fact  in  nature,  and  that  their  bearings  on  the  practical 
workings  of  life  are  equally  susceptible  of  demonstration. 
Unlike  scholastic  metaphysics,  they  are  not  built  in  the 
clouds,  but  have  a  tangible  base  to  rest  upon.  Unlike  them, 
they  are  not  mere  barren  speculations,  but  can  be  turned  to 
good  account.  If  we  look  to  the  old  philosophy,  we  find 
its  cultivators  talking  of  perception,  memory,  judgment,  and 
imagination,  as  constituting  the  primary  mental  powers,  and 
using  the  machinery  of  attention,  association,  and  habit,  to 
solve  every  obstacle  which  stood  in  their  wray.  If  a  man 
had  great  difficulty  in  nicely  discriminating  shades  of  colour, 
it  was  owing  to  an  early  want  of  attention !     If  he  were  fond 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

of  music  or  poetry,  this  resulted  from  association !  If  he  were 
capable  of  great  concentrated  application,  this  had  its  origin 
in  habit !  In  short,  perception,  memory,  judgment,  and  imagi- 
nation, are  to  the  sound  philosophy  of  the  mind  what  the 
four  elements  of  fire,  air,  earth,  and  water  are  to  modern 
chemistry;  while  attention,  association,  and  habit  may  be 
said  to  represent  Phlogiston,  that  convenient  agent  by 
which  every  difficulty  was  at  once  got  rid  of.  It  is  no 
proof  of  the  soundness  of  this  crude  theory,  that  it  was 
adopted  by  great  names.  In  the  dawn  of  every  science, 
talents  of  the  first  order  often  got  widely  astray.  Roger 
Bacon,  Albertus  Magnus,  Raymond  Lully,  Van  Helmont, 
and  Paracelsus  believed  in  the  Elixir  Vitae  and  the  Philoso- 
pher's Stone;  and,  till  a  comparatively  recent  period,  the  Stah- 
lian  theory  was  in  general  acceptation  among  chemists.  The 
same  holds  true  with  the  philosophy  of  mind.  Previous  to 
Gall's  great  discovery,  no  proper  method  of  investigating 
mental  phenomena  was  known  to  metaphysicians,  and  gross 
errors  and  misconceptions  consequently  existed.  We  were 
gravely  told,  that  the  human  mind  was  like  a  sheet  of  blank 
paper,  on  which  any  impression  could  be  made;  that  all 
men  were  by  nature  precisely  alike,  and  that  variety  of 
talent  and  disposition  depended  upon  circumstances.  The 
currency  which  such  doctrines  obtained,  demonstrates  a 
state  of  ignorance  with  respect  to  the  mind,  not  inferior  to 
that  of  physical  science  which  existed  in  the  days  of  the 
alchymists.  Gall  was  the  first  person  who  laid  the  axe  to 
the  root  of  this  barren  tree,  and  planted  a  better  in  its 
place.  If  any  man  proceeded  upon  the  strictest  principles 
of  the  inductive  philosophy,  it  was  this  illustrious  individual. 
His  inferences  were  sternly  deduced  from  facts  which  came 
under  his  notice,  and  no  one  was  ever  less  of  a  theorist. 
The  method  upon  which  he  proceeded,  has  been  rigidly 
followed  by   his     disciples;    and  though    none    of   them 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

have  equalled  their  master  in  originality  or  grasp  of  mind, 
they  may  at  least  lay  claim  to  the  merit  of  being  actuated 
by  the  same  spirit  of  investigation,  and  of  endeavouring, 
like  him,  to  draw  their  knowledge  directly  from  the  book  of 
nature.  If  they  have  failed,  the  fault  is  chargeable  upon 
their  own  want  of  acuteness,  and  not  upon  the  mode  had 
recourse  to  by  them,  for  the  purpose  of  eliciting  truth. 

As  people  get  acquainted  with  Phrenology,  and  the 
vast  number  of  important  points  on  which  it  bears,  the  op- 
position which  it  has  hitherto  encountered  will  gradually 
cease.  This  consummation  is  fast  taking  place,  even  already. 
Converts  are  daily  flocking  to  its  ranks,  and  those  who  still 
stand  aloof  are  beginning  to  speak  of  it  with  some  degree 
of  respect.  The  hostile  efforts  of  the  press  will,  for  a  time, 
continue  to  check  its  onward  march,  but  those  are  rapidly 
giving  way  before  increasing  knowledge.  In  the  meantime, 
some  of  the  public  prints  abound  with  ingenious  inventions 
to  its  prejudice.  Every  paragraph  is  eagerly  inserted  if  it 
only  bear  against  Phrenology.  We  are  daily  told  of  blun- 
ders committed  by  expert  Phrenologists,  in  their  attempts  to 
predicate  character,  from  examination  of  the  head.7  If  a 
notorious  criminal  is  executed,  we  may  calculate  on  being 

7  For  example,  the  story  of  Dr.  Spurzheim  and  the  bust  of  Lord  Pom- 
fret,  as  exposed  in  the  sixth  volume  of  the  Phrenological  Journal ;  or  the 
equally  veracious  one  of  Mr.  Combe  being-  imposed  upon  by  a  cast  moulded 
from  a  Swedish  turnip.  There  is  no  end  to  such  impudent  fictions.  The 
alleged  blunders  of  expert  phrenologists  are,  in  fact,  mere  weak  inventions 
of  the  enemy,  for  the  purpose  of  demolishing  by  fraud  what  they  cannot  en- 
counter by  fair  argument.  There  have  not  even  been  awanting  instances 
of  individuals  writing  out  characters,  the  very  reverse  of  their  own,  and 
palming  them  off  as  phrenological  failures.  I  know  an  instance  of  this  kind, 
and  another  is  related  by  Mr.  Combe  in  his  letter  to  Lord  Jeffrey.  Talking 
of  the  Swedish  turnip,  the  facetious  personage  who  made  the  unsuccessful 
attempt  to  play  off  this  hoax  against  Phrenology,  has  since  studied  the 
science,  and  become  a  complete  convert  to  its  truth.  See  page  13  of  that 
interesting  volume,  entitled  "  Selections  from  the  Phrenological  Jowrnal?* 
recently  published. 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

informed  that  he  possessed  a  splendid  development,  and  so 
forth !  Lacenaire,  the  assassin  of  sixteen  individuals,  hady 
we  were  told,  such  a  formation  of  head  as  Gall  would  have 
assigned  to  a  mild,  kind-hearted,  religious  character.  Hare 
was  formidable  in  the  regions  of  Benevolence  and  Ideality, 
and  Fieschi  remarkably  deficient  in  those  of  Firmness  and 
Destructiveness !  All  such  stories  are  idle  inventions,  with- 
out a  particle  of  truth,  but  they  serve  the  intended  purpose 
of  imposing  upon  the  unwary,  and  exciting  a  hostile  feeling 
towards  Phrenology. 

In  whatever  way  we  view  this  science,  its  tendency  is 
excellent.  It  is  eminently  useful  to  the  medical  practitioner, 
by  turning  his  attention  forcibly  to  the  state  of  the  brain 
and  whole  nervous  system,  in  health  and  disease — to  those 
who  have  the  charge  of  lunatics  and  criminals — to  those 
concerned  in  the  administration  of  justice  8  — to  parents,  in 
the  intellectual,  moral,  and  physical  management  of  their 
children,  and,  in  short,  to  every  class  of  society.  Grievous 
errors  in  education,  in  the  treatment  of  malefactors,  and  in 
what  are  called  mental  diseases,  are  constantly  committed, 

8  Were  Phrenology  known,  as  it  ought  to  be,  by  judges  and  public  pro- 
secutors, we  should  not  behold  the  revolting  spectacle  of  lunatics  perishing 
on  the  scaffold,  as  is  too  often  the  case  in  Great  Britain ;  nor  medical  men 
giving  it  as  their  opinion,  that  the  unfortunates  who  have  so  perished  were 
responsible  agents.  There  is  something  appalling  in  the  thought  of  inflict- 
ing death  on  creatures  whom  God  has  stricken  with  idiocy  or  derangement, 
merely  because  those  who  try  them,  and  those  who  testify  to  their  fitness  for 
being  put  upon  trial,  are  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  their  malady.  No  man 
can  now  doubt,  that  Barclay  who  was  hanged  at  Glasgow,  and  Howison 
who  suffered  the  same  fate  at  Edinburgh,  were  disordered  in  intellect  to  a 
degree  which  placed  them  beyond  the  pale  of  responsibility.  The  light 
thrown  by  Phrenology  on  Mental  Derangement  is  most  valuable,  and  will, 
in  time,  be  so  reflected  upon  Criminal  Jurisprudence  as  to  render  such 
dreadful  misapplication  of  the  law  a  rare,  or  rather  an  impossible,  occur- 
rence. In  the  third  and  tenth  volumes  of  the  Phrenological  Journal,  there 
is  some  valuable  information  on  the  subject  of  Insanity  and  Crime.  See  also 
Dr.  Combe's  work  on  Mental  Derangement,  and  the  treatises  on  the  same 
subject  by  Burrows,  Conolly,  and  Esquirol. 


INTRODUCTION.  2i 

from  ignorance  of  the  light  thrown  by  Phrenology  upon 
these  important  subjects.  A  science  which  is  able  to  ac- 
complish all  this  cannot  be  a  trivial  one;  and  time,  the  great 
arbiter,  will  yet  render  it  ample  justice,  when  every  thing 
which  has  been  said  and  written  against  it  is  utterly  for- 
gotten. 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 


What  is  the  material  organ  of  the  mind? 

The  brain.  The  mind  requires  a  material  apparatus  to 
work  with ;  the  brain  is  this  apparatus.  The  brain  itself, 
however,  is  not  alleged  by  phrenologists  to  be  the  mind,  any 
more  than  a  musical  instrument  is  music,  the  tongue  taste, 
or  the  ears  hearing.  When  the  strings  of  a  harp  or  violin 
are  touched  in  a  particular  manner  we  have  music.  When 
the  brain  is  in  certain  states  we  have  displays  of  the  mental 
faculties.  Of  the  mind,  as  a  separate  entity,  we  can  know 
nothing  whatever,  and  we  must  judge  of  it  in  the  only  way 
in  which  it  comes  under  our  cognizance.9 

What  reason  is  there  to  infer  that  the  mind  is  manifested 
through  the  medium  of  the  brain? 

We  have  undoubted  evidence  of  this  in  the  following  and 
many  similar  facts.  When  a  person  receives  a  violent  blow 
on  the  head — when  blood  or  any  other  fluid  presses  upon 
the  brain — or  when  a  portion  of  the  skull  is  beaten  in — in- 
sensibility is  a  frequent,  or  rather  a  general  occurrence. 


9  "  The  mind  sees  through  the  medium  of  the  eye,  just  as  it  thinks  or  feels 
through  the  medium  of  the  brain ;  and  as  changes  in  the  condition  of  the  eye 
deteriorate  or  destroy  the  power  of  vision,  without  any  affection  of  the  prin- 
ciple  of  mind,  the  obvious  inference  follows,  that,  in  like  manner,  may 
changes  in  the  condition  of  the  brain  destroy  the  power  of  feeling  or  of  think, 
ing,  and  yet  the  mind  itself,  or  soul,  remain  essentially  the  same."— -Dr. 
Combe  on  Mental  Derangement* 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  23 

A  dose  of  opium,  by  acting  on  the  brain,  suspends  the  phen- 
omena of  mind;  in  like  manner,  when  the  brain  is  inflamed, 
the  mental  operations  are  disturbed.  Did  the  mind  act 
independently  of  the  brain,  no  physical  injury  or  irritation 
of  the  latter  should  have  any  effect  upon  the  faculties ; 
whereas,  we  find  that  the  reverse  is  the  case.  Insanity,  in 
fact,  is  nothing  but  cerebral  disease  inducing  disordered 
mental  manifestations.  Finally,  when  the  brain  is  extremely 
small,  idiocy  is  the  invariable  result.  Such  a  form  of  head, 
for  instance,  as  is  represented  in  the  following  sketch,  is  in- 
compatible with  the  most  ordinary  degree  of  intelligence. 
The  subject  of  the  engraving  was  an  idiot  girl,  aged  four- 
teen, whom  Dr.  Spurzheim  saw  in  Cork.  The  extreme 
deficiency  of  brain  is  very  obvious. 


Does  the  mind  consist  of  one  faculty  or  of  several? 

Undoubtedly  of  many.  We  have  the  passions  of  fear, 
love,  attachment,  pugnacity,  &c.  ;  the  sentiments  of  benevo- 
lence, veneration,  justice,  &c. ;  besides  a  variety  of  other 
qualities,  such  as  the  powers  of  music,  calculation,  causation, 


24 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 


and  many  others.  All  these  powers,  susceptibilities,  and 
emotions  of  the  mind  are  called  faculties  ;  each  is  distinct* 
and  possessed  by  different  individuals,  in  different  degrees. 

Since  the  mental  faculties  are  so  varied,  how  can  a  single 
viscus  like  the  brain  manifest  them  all? 

There  is  irresistible  evidence  to  demonstrate  that  the 
brain  is  not  a  single  organ,  but  in  reality  a  congeries  of 
organs,  so  intimately  blended,  however,  as  to  appear  one. 
Each  of  these  is  the  seat  of  a  particular  mental  faculty;  so 
that,  as  the  whole  mind  acts  through  the  medium  of  the 
whole  brain,  so  does  each  faculty  of  the  mind  act  through 
the  medium  of  a  certain  portion  of  the  brain.  Thus,  there 
is  a  part  appropriated  to  the  faculty  of  Tune,  another  to 
that  of  Imitation,  and  so  on  through  the  whole  series.  The 
brain,  in  short,  as  Dr.  Spurzheim  observes,  "  is  not  a  simple 
unit,  but  a  collection  of  many  peculiar  instruments." 

Upon  what  evidence  do  you  found  these  assertions  ? 

The  evidences  are  numerous.  Were  the  brain  a  single 
organ,  of  which  every  part  was  employed  in  the  manifesta- 
tion of  all  the  mental  faculties,  there  could  be  no  such  thing 
as  monomania,  or  madness  on  one  point:  if  a  portion  of  the 
brain  were  diseased,  the  whole  mind  should  suffer;  whereas, 
we  often  find  that  one  faculty  is  insane,  while  all  the  others 
are  perfectly  sound.  In  like  manner,  fatigue  of  one  organ 
should  exhaust  the  whole,  but  we  do  not  find  this  to  be  the 
case;  for  after  overtasking  the  reflecting  powers,  we  may  be 
fully  prepared  to  call  others,  such  as  Tune,  Imitation,  &c. 
into  energetic  activity.  Dreaming,  likewise,  is  inconsistent 
with  the  supposition  that  the  brain  is  a  single  organ.  If  it 
were  so,  we  should  be  either  complete^  awake  or  com- 
pletely asleep;  whereas,  in  dreams,  one  or  more  faculties 
are  in  operation,  while  the  rest  continue  in  perfect  repose. 
The  perversion  in  madness,  and  the  wakefulness  in  dream- 
ing, of  certain  faculties,  cannot  otherwise  be  explained,  than 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  25 

by  supposing  that  each  of  these  has  a  separate  locality 
in  the  brain.  It  is  only  on  the  same  principle  that  partial 
genius  can  be  accounted  for. 

These  are  certainly  strong  proofs,  but  are  there  no  others 
of  a  more  direct  and  tangible  description  ? 

Many  such.  It  is  sufficient  to  mention  that  if,  in  a  healthy 
brain,  any  particular  portion  is  very  much  developed,  the 
individual  will  be  found  to  possess  a  more  than  usual  energy 
in  some  particular  faculty.  Take,  for  instance,  two  heads, 
as  nearly  as  possible  alike  in  their  general  configuration,  but 
differing  strongly  in  shape  at  a  certain  part;  the  persons  to 
whom  they  belong  will  be  found  to  resemble  each  other  in 
disposition,  except  in  so  far  as  the  faculties  connected  with 
the  organ  or  organs  which  lie  at  that  part  are  concerned : 
here  their  characters  will  differ  most  materially.10 

What  is  the  science  called  which  teaches  all  this? 

It  is  denominated  Phrenology,  the  merit  of  discovering 
which,  and  reducing  it  into  a  system,  is  due  to  the  celebrated 
Dr.  Gall  of  Vienna.  Dr.  Spurzheim,  his  disciple  and  asso- 
ciate, has  also  done  much  to  extend  and  improve  the  science, 
which  has  been  still  farther  advanced  by  the  labours  of  Mr. 
Combe,  and  other  ingenious  men  in  this  country  and  on  the 
continent. 

What  were  the  circumstances  which  led  Dr.  Gall  to  the 
discovery  ? 

They  were  partly  accidental,  and  partly  owing  to  the  in- 

10  Sibbern,  the  celebrated  professor  of  Logic  in  the  University  of  Copen- 
hagen, expresses  himself  as  follows :— "  If,  upon  the  whole,  the  brain  is  such 
an  organ  for  the  mind,  that  the  latter  cannot  act  without  the  former,  but  is 
disturbed  whenever  the  brain  is  morbidly  affected,  certainly  nothing  can  be 
objected  to  the  principle  in  Dr.  Gall's  doctrine,  that  certain  faculties  of  the 
mind  require  certain  modes  of  action  in  the  brain,  and  have  their  appropriate 
organs  in  it.  To  assert  that  a  talent  for  mathematics  requires  a  special  or- 
gan in  the  brain,  is  no  more  singular  than  to  assert  that  thinking,  in  general, 
requires  a  well  organized  brain.  Psychologically  considered,  Dr.  Gall's 
doctrine  is  not  at  all  improbable." 

B 


■26  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

tuitive  sagacity  and  excellent  powers  of  observation  pos- 
sessed by  that  remarkable  man.  While  a  mere  boy  at 
school,  he  observed  that  such  of  his  fellow-pupils  as  had 
prominent  eyes  were  those  with  whom,  in  matters  of  scholar- 
ship, he  had  the  greatest  difficulty  in  competing.  He  might 
surpass  them  in  original  composition ;  but  in  exercises  of 
verbal  memory  they  left  him  far  behind,  and  were  invariably 
the  best  scholars.  On  leaving  school  and  going  to  the  uni- 
versity, he  observed  the  same  rule  to  hold  good.  The  "  ox- 
eyed  "  students,  as  they  were  called,  always  bore  away  the 
palm  whenever  the  acquisition  of  languages  was  concerned. 
This  fact  struck  him  forcibly,  but  for  a  long  time  he  knew 
not  what  to  make  of  it.  Some  time  afterwards,  he  had 
occasion  to  remark  that  one  of  his  acquaintances,  with 
whom  he  used  to  ramble  in  the  woods,  never  lost  his  way, 
which  Gall  himself  frequently  did.  This  young  man  had 
two  very  marked  prominences  on  his  forehead,  just  above 
the  root  of  the  nose,  while  with  Gall  there  were  no  such 
protuberances.  On  extending  his  observations,  he  found 
that  persons  so  characterized  acquired  with  great  ease  a 
knowledge  of  localities — that  they  found  their  way  almost 
intuitively,  as  it  were,  in  any  route,  however  complex,  if 
they  had  been  there  once  before;  and  that  those  who  wanted 
the  marks  in  question  had  great  difficulty  in  so  doing. 
After  reflecting  deeply,  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  these 
differences  of  talent  might  depend  upon  the  size  of  particu- 
lar parts  of  the  brain.  This  happy  idea  having  once  sug- 
gested itself,  he  followed  it  up  with  admirable  skill  and  in- 
defatigable perseverance,  and  at  last  ascertained  distinctly, 
that  the  strength  of  the  mental  faculties  is,  ceteris  paribus, 
in  proportion  to  the  size  of  those  compartments  of  the  brain 
by  which  they  are  manifested. 

One  man,  then,  with  a  certain  organ  larger  than  it  is  in 
another,  will  possess  the  faculty  belonging  to  it  in  greater 
vigour? 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  27 

IVlost  certainly; — supposing  the  brains  of  both  to  be 
equally  healthy,  their  temperaments  the  same,  and  the 
circumstances  in  which  they  have  been  placed,  equally 
favourable  for  the  excitement  and  cultivation  of  the  parti- 
cular faculty.11  It  is  obviously  as  impossible  for  a  person 
with  a  great  deficiency  of  the  organs  of  the  moral  senti- 
ments, such  as  Benevolence  and  Conscientiousness,  to  be  a 
virtuous  character,  as  it  is  for  the  brain  of  an  idiot  to  dis- 
play the  splendid  intellect  of  a  Milton  or  a  Cuvier. 

A  large  brain,  therefore,  other  circumstances  being  equal, 
will  be  superior  in  power  to  a  smaller  one  ? 

Facts  place  this  beyond  a  doubt.  A  large-brained  person 
acquires  a  natural  ascendancy  over  another,  whose  cerebral 
system  is  smaller.  A  nation  of  small-brained  people  is 
easily  conquered,  and  held  in  subjection;  witness  the  facility 
with  which  the  small-headed  Hindoos  were  subjugated,  and 
the  extreme  difficulty  experienced  in  overcoming  the  Caribs, 
whose  brains  are  large  and  active.  The  large  size  of  the 
Scotch  brain  was  probably  one  of  the  causes  which  rendered 
the  permanent  subjugation  of  Scotland  by  the  English  im- 
possible. No  man  acquires  a  supremacy  over  masses  of  his 
fellow-men  without  a  large  head.  The  head  of  Pericles, 
who  wielded  at  will  the  fierce  democracy  of  Athens,  was  of 

11  The  degree  with  which  an  organ  will  manifest  its  power,  depends 
greatly  upon  the  circumstances  here  mentioned.  Temperament,  in  particu- 
lar, has  a  powerful  influence  on  the  cerebral  activity,  and  must  be  carefully 
borne  in  mind.  There  is  another  circumstance  which  modifies  the  vigour 
of  an  organ's  manifestations,  and  that  is  the  size  of  the  organ  in  reference 
to  others  in  the  same  head.  If  two  men,  for  example,  have  the  same  abso- 
lute size  of  the  organ  of  Tune,  (the  temperaments  being  similar)  the  natu- 
ral strength  of  the  faculty  will  be  equal  in  each;  but  should  Tune,  in  the. 
one  case,  be  the  largest  intellectual  organ,  then  there  will  be  a  considerable 
difference  in  the  manifestation  of  musical  power.  The  first  person  will 
cultivate  his  organ  of  Tune  almost  exclusively,  and  thus  greatly  increase 
its  energy:  the  other  may  cultivate  it  to  some  extent,  but  having  other 
faculties  still  stronger,  he  will  exert  them  more,  and  thus  the  naturalcapa- 
bilities  of  his  Tune  will  never  be  brought  fully  out. 


28  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

extraordinary  size.  Mirabeau,  whose  thunders  shook  the 
National  Assembly  of  France;  Danton,  who  rode  like  an 
evil  spirit  on  the  whirlwind  of  the  French  Revolution; 
Franklin,  who  guided,  by  the  calm  power  of  his  wisdom 
and  virtue,  the  legislature  of  America,  had  all  of  them 
heads  of  uncommon  size.  That  of  Mirabeau  is  spoken 
of  as  enormous,  and  he  is  known  to  have  possessed  in- 
credible force  of  character,  as  well  as  distinguished  talent. 
Without  great  size  of  head,  Mr.  Q'Connell  never  could  have 
impressed  himself  so  forcible  as  he  has  done  upon  the  present 
age.  There  is  not  a  single  instance  of  any  one  with  a 
small  or  moderate-sized  brain  wielding  multitudes  like  the 
Irish  "Agitator,"  or  grappling  triumphantly  with  the  dangers 
of  a  troubled  age,  like  the  iron-hearted  Cromwell,  or  raising 
himself  from  a  private  station  to  the  most  splendid  throne 
in  Europe,  like  the  Emperor  Napoleon.  To  accomplish 
such  feats,  not  great  intellect  merely  is  demanded,  but  com- 
manding force  of  character,  arising  from  unusual  size  of 
brain.12 

What  is  the  average  weight  of  the  brain? 

The  brain,  at  birth,  weighs,  according  to  Meckel,  about  ten 
ounces.  The  usual  weight  of  the  male  adult  brain  he  estimates 
at  three  pounds  fi\e  ounces  and  a  half.13  According  to  Virey 


12  Men  in  authority,  such  as  military  and  naval  commanders,  governors 
of  work-houses  and  prisons,  managers  of  large  establishments,  magistrates 
and  schoolmasters,  should  all  have  large  heads;  otherwise,  let  their  moral 
qualities  and  talents  be  what  they  may,  they  will  fail  of  insuring  ready  and 
spontaneous  obedience.  The  power  of  mind  derived  from  a  large  brain 
makes  its  possessor  be  feared  and  respected,  while  a  small-brained  person  is 
felt  to  be  feeble  and  ineffective.  The  wrath  of  the  first  is  formidable,  that  of 
the  other  only  excites  laughter. 

13  Dr.  Elliotson  presented  to  the  London  Phrenological  Society,  the 
cast  of  the  head  of  a  male  idiot,  aged  eighteen  years,  which  measured  only 
sixteen  inches  in  circumference,  and  seven  inches  and  three  quarters  from 
ear  to  ear,  over  the  vertex.  The  cerebrum  weighed  but  one  pound  seven 
and  a  half  ounces,  and  the  cerebellum  but  four  ounces ;  in  all  one  pound 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  29 

that  of  the  female  is  three  or  four  ounces  less.  Farther  ob- 
servations, however,  are  necessary,  to  ascertain  the  average 
difference  in  this  respect  between  the  sexes,  although  the 
fact  is  undeniable,  that,  generally  speaking,  the  female  brain 
is  the  smaller  of  the  two. 

Does  the  female  brain  differ  in  any  other  particular  from 
the  male  f 

It  does.  Certain  portions  are  larger  and  others  smaller. 
Generally  speaking,  a  woman's  skull  and  brain,  are  longer 
in  proportion  to  their  breadth  than  those  of  a  man.  This 
point  may  readily  be  ascertained  by  taking  even  a  cursory 
glance  at  the  heads  of  the  two  sexes. 

What  follows  when  an  organ  is  remarkably  small? 

Extreme  feeblenes  of  the  faculty  which  is  connected  with  it. 

May  not  a  large-brained  person  be  an  idiot  f 

Unquestionably ;  but  in  such  a  case  the  cerebral  structure 
is  in  a  morbid  state.  Generally  speaking,  however,  when 
a  full-sized  brain  gets  diseased,  there  exists  some  active  form 
of  derangement,  and  not  idiocy. 

Will  the  exercise  of  an  organ  increase  its  size  ? 

It  is  so  maintained  by  some  phrenologists,  but  a  sufficiently 
large  body  of  facts  appears  still  wanting  to  set  the  matter 
completely  at  rest.  If  we  work  an  organ  vigorously,  es- 
pecially during  youth,  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  that 
its  bulk  may  be  thereby  augmented;  the  analogy  of  the 
muscles  favours  such  a  conjecture.  At  all  events,  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  the  energy  and  activity  of  the  organ  will  be  great- 
ly increased.  The  lapse  of  ages  of  civilization,  in  any 
country,  will,  very  probably,  improve  the  form  and  quality 
of  the  national  brain,  by  the  continued  action  which  this  state 

eleven  ounces  and  a  half.  Compare  this  with  the  brain  of  Cuvier  which 
weighed  three  pounds  ten  ounces  four  drachms  and  a  half.  Where  the 
circumference  of  the  adult  head  is  under  seventeen  inches,  mental  imbecility 
is  the  inevitable  consequence. 


30  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

of  society  confers  on  the  moral  and  intellectual  organs,  and  the 
comparative  inactivity  in  which  it  keeps  the  lower  propen- 
sities.14 The  skulls  of  our  ancestors,  which  have  been  dug  up, 
give  indication  of  an  inferior  moral  and  intellectual  organiz- 
ation, and  of  stronger  propensities  than  are  presented  by  the 
average  of  heads  at  the  present  day. 

May  an  organ  be  well  developed,  and  yet  incapable  of 
manifesting  its  faculty  in  a  powerful  degree? 

This  may  occasionally  happen  in  consequence  of  a  general 
or  partial  want  of  energy  in  the  brain.  It  is  most  likely 
to  occur  in  persons  of  a  lymphatic  temperament,  where  the 
cerebral  circulation  is  carried  on  with  little  vigour.  Some- 
times a  single  organ  becomes  apathetic,  while  the  rest  are 
healthy.     Isolated  cases  of  this  description  form*  no  objec- 


14  In  the  article  "  Hydrocephale,"  in  the  twenty-second  volume  of  the 
"  Dictionnaire  des  Sciences  Medicales,"  it  is  stated,  that  the  heads  of  great 
thinkers  frequently  increase  till  fifty  years  of  age.  According  to  Itard,  the 
head  of  Napoleon,  which  acquired  an  enormous  development,  was  small  in 
youth.  The  fact  seems  pretty  well  established,  that  if  the  brain  is  not  exer- 
cised, it  may  actually  diminish  in  bulk.  In  long  protracted  madness,  it 
seems  often  to  diminish,  especially  in  the  intellectual  regions.  Such  was 
probably  the  case  with  Dean  Swift,  who,  for  some  years  before  death,  was 
in  an  imbecile  state  of  mind.  The  portraits  of  that  great  man  represent  his 
forehead  as  much  larger  than  it  appears  in  his  skull.  Esquirol  mentions 
the  case  of  an  insane  female,  whose  forehead,  on  her  admission  into  the 
hospital,  was  so  large  that  he  had  a  drawing  made  of  it,  but  afterwards  it 
became  small  and  narrow.  In  the  Phrenological  Journal  vol.  iv.  p.  495, 
the  case  of  a  deranged  person  is  recorded,  where  the  same  event  occurred. 
"  His  head  increased  in  size  during  the  progress  of  his  insanity,  and  to  such 
an  extent  that  he  observed  the  circumstance  himself,  and  said  that  he 
required  a  smaller  size  in  each  successive  hat  that  he  purchased.  His  intel- 
lectual faculties  were  obviously  feebler  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  for  he 
became  incapable  of  collecting  money  by  presenting  receipts,  and  per- 
forming some  other  little  pieces  of  business  which  in  former  years  he  had 
accomplished,  and  his  forehead  very  perceptibly  diminished  and  retreated 
during  the  corresponding  period.  He  accounted  for  the  decrease  in  the 
size  of  the  hats  he  required  by  ascribing  it  to  the  sublimation  of  his  brain  : 
he  said  he  was  becoming  purely  ethereal,  and  that  the  grosser  particles  of 
his  head  were  evaporating  daily." 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  31 

tion  to  Phrenology,  but  rather  prove  its  truth,  in  so  far  as 
they  demonstrate  that  vigorous  results  cannot  be  expected 
from  unhealthy  organs. 

Can  the  natural  dispositions  and  talents  of  an  individual 
be  inferred  by  examination  of  his  brain? 

They  can  be  predicated  with  great  accuracy  after  such 
an  examination ;  but  it  is  necessary  to  take  different  circum- 
stances into  view,  such  as  temperament,  education,  and 
example,  as  they  modify,  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  char- 
acter. A  phrenologist,  knowing  these  modifying  causes, 
can  speak  with  great  precision  after  examining  the  brain. 

Can  actions  be  inferred  ? 

No.  These  depend  much  on  the  circumstances  in  which 
the  person  is  placed.  A  phrenologist,  examining  the  head 
of  Hare,  would  infer,  that  his  mind  was  of  a  low  and  degraded 
order,  that  its  tendency  was  towards  cruelty  and  conten- 
tion, and  that  his  pleasures  were  all  of  a  base  kind ;  but 
he  could  not  infer  that  he  would  necessarily  commit  murder. 
Hare  became  a  murderer  by  the  force  of  circumstances. 
He  lived  many  years  without  committing  murder;  and 
when  he  did  so,  it  was  to  obtain  money  to  gratify  his 
grovelling  desires.  Could  he  have  readily  procured  money 
otherwise,  it  is  not  at  all  likely  that  he  would  have  been 
guilty  of  the  crime.  Men  always  act  from  the  strongest 
motives.  The  motives  which  induced  Hare  to  murder,  were 
unhappily,  stronger  than  the  restraining  ones,  and,  therefore, 
he  murdered.15 


15  Some  people  expect  phrenologists  to  say,  by  an  examination  of  the 
head,  what  actions  a  man  will  necessarily  commit,  but  this  is  a  childish 
piece  of  folly.  The  head  of  Hare  was  precisely  the  same  the  instant  before 
committing  his  first  murder  as  it  was  the  instant  after.  All  that  a  phreno. 
logist  could  affirm  on  seeing  such  a  head,  would  be  that  its  owner  had  an 
organization,  accompanied  by  dispositions  which,  in  particular  circumstances, 
would  almost  inevitably  lead  him  to  the  commission  of  some  atrocious  crime. 
Hare  was  36  when  he  commenced  his  horrible  career.     Supposing  him  to 


32  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

Wherein  consists  the  abuse  of  a  faculty  f 

A  faculty  is  said  to  be  abused  when  it  acts  in  a  degree  too 
intense,  or  towards  an  improper  object ;  also  when  it  is  active 
at  an  improper  time,  or  in  an  improper  place. 

How  are  the  faculties  brought  into  communication  with 
the  external  world  ? 

By  means  of  the  external  senses.  The  organs  of  these 
senses  (the  ear,  the  eye,  &c.)  are  connected  with  the  brain 
through  the  medium  of  nerves,  which  convey  the  impressions 
made  upon  their  respective  organs  to  the  cerebral  mass, 
and  thus  give  to  the  mental  faculties  a  cognizance  of  what  is 
occurring  from  without. 

In  predicating  character,  is  it  absolutely  necessary  to 
examine  the  uncovered  brain? 

No.  Inferences  may,  in  general,  be  drawn  with  great 
accuracy,  during  life,  by  examining  the  external  surface  of 
the  head. 

Does  not  the  skull  afford  an  obstacle  to  obtaining  a  correct 
idea  of  the  shape  of  the  brain?16 


have  died  at  the  age  of  35  he  would  not  have  had  the  stigma  of  murder  at- 
tached to  his  name  -3  but  nevertheless  he  must  have  possessed  the  same  ten- 
dency to  commit  crime  as  he  manifested  at  a  later  period ;  and  a  phreno- 
logist on  being  shown  his  head,  and  not  knowing  to  whom  it  belonged, 
would  infer  accordingly,  making  allowance  for  the  way  in  which  such  a 
character  would  be  modified  by  circumstances. 

16  The  reader  should  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  general  anatomy 
of  the  skull,  otherwise  he  will  be  at  a  loss  to  understand  the  references 
occasionally  made  to  its  particular  parts.  The  bones  of  the  skull-cap  (that 
cavity  which  contains  the  brain)  are  as  follows:— 1.  The  frontal  bone, 
which  forms  the  upper  and  forepart  of  the  head.  2.  The  occipital  bone, 
which  forms  the  lower  and  back  part.  3.  The  two  parietal  bones,  which  lie 
between  the  frontal  and  occipital,  and  form  the  sides  and  top  of  the  head. 
4.  The  two  temporal  bones,  which  lie  in  the  temples,  and  form  the  lower 
parts  of  the  sides  of  the  skull.  5.  The  ethmoid  bone,  which  lies  in  the  base  of 
the  skull,  immediately  over  and  behind  the  nose.  6.  The  sphenoid  bone, 
which  lies  between  the  ethmoid  and  occipital  bones,  and  supports  the  ceDtre 
of  the  brain.    Ihese  bones  are  united  by  seams,  or  sutures.    The  coronal 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  33 

This  happens  only  in  rare  cases,  and  almost  always  at 
isolated  points  ;  the  whole  skull  is  seldom  affected.  In  a 
vast  majority  of  cases,  the  cranium  gives  a  minutely  accurate 
representation  of  the  shape  of  the  brain.  In  old  age,  how- 
ever, the  skull  frequently  becomes  very  thick,  occasionally 
very  thin,  and  at  other  times  of  very  unequal  thickness. 
In  such  cases,  the  form  of  the  brain  cannot  be  accurately 
ascertained  during  life. 

Are  the  form  and  texture  of  the  skull  and  brain  influenced 
by  insanity  ? 

This  is  very  frequently  the  case,  especially  if  the  malady 
has  been  of  long  continuance.  The  brain  shrinks;  its  con- 
volutions become  narrower,  and  lose  their  turgescency.  The 
skull,  at  the  same  time,  becomes  very  thick,  but  instead  of 
being  soft  and  spongy,  as  in  old  age,  it  acquires  great  addi- 
tional hardness  and  compactness  of  fibre,  and  has  an  appear- 
ance not  unlike  ivory.  In  two  hundred  and  sixteen  heads 
of  maniacs,  which  were  opened  by  Greding,  a  hundred  and 
sixty-seven  were  very  thick,  without  taking  into  consider- 
ation those,  which,  though  of  no  unusual  thickness,  were 
remarkably  hard.  Of  a  hundred  furious  lunatics  the  skulls 
of  seventy-eight  were  thick ;  and  the  same  was  the  case 
with  twenty-two  out  of  thirty  skulls  of  idiots.  In  such  cases, 
therefore,  the  cranium  does  not  in  general,  accurately  repre- 
sent the  form  of  the  brain,  and  here  we  are  not  to  expect 
that  just  inferences  of  character  can  be  drawn,  any  more 
than  in  very  advanced  life. 

Is  the  skull  formed  before  or  after  the  brain  ? 

The  brain  is  formed  first,  and  gives  shape  to  the  skull, 

suture  runs  between  the  frontal  and  parietal  bones,  the  lambdoidal  suture 
between  the  parietal  and  the  occipital,  and  the  sagittal  suture  between  the 
two  parietals,  along  the  centre  of  the  head,  stretching  from  the  coronal  to 
the  lambdoidal  suture.  The  temporal  sutures  join  the  temporal  bones  to 
the  parietal,  occipital,  and  frontal  bones.  The  sphenoidal  and  ethmoidal 
sutures  connect  these  two  bones  to  each  other,  and  to  the  rest. 

b2 


34  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

which  is  moulded  over  it.  The  process  of  ossification  does 
not  commence  till  the  seventh  or  eighth  week  of  pregnancy, 
and  is  far  from  being  completed  at  birth. 

At  what  period  does  the  brain  attain  its  full  size  ? 

Great  differences  of  opinion  exist  with  regard  to  this  point. 
According  to  phrenological  writers,  the  brain  does  not  attain 
its  full  size  till  between  the  twentieth  and  thirtieth  year, 
while,  according  to  Sir  William  Hamilton  and  the  Wenzels, 
it  arrives  at  its  utmost  magnitude  at  the  age  of  seven.  In 
such  a  conflict  of  totally  different  opinions,  we  must  regard 
the  point  as  undecided,  although  it  seems  incredible,  that 
the  brains  of  children  of  seven,  are  equal  in  size  to  those  of 
full-grown  men.     I,  for  one,  do  not  believe  it. 

After  attaining  its  full  size,  does  the  brain  ever  diminish  f 

It  does  so  in  very  old  age,  at  which  time  the  cranium,  as 
already  noticed,  becomes  frequently  thicker,  its  inner  layer 
retreating  inwards,  and  either  being  followed  by  the  outer 
layer,  or  leaving  a  considerable  thickness  of  spongy  diploe 
between  them. 

Is  the  substance  of  the  brain  of  the  same  consistence  at 
every  period  of  life  f 

No.  The  infant  brain  is  soft:  as  we  grow  older  it  becomes 
more  consistent,  and  in  old  age  acquires  still  greater  firmness, 

Does  Phrenology  apply  solely  to  the  human  race  ? 

It  does  not.  The  character  of  a  dog  is  as  much  influenced 
by  the  form  of  its  brain  as  that  of  a  man. 

If  a  large  brain  gives  greater  mental  power  than  a  small 
one,  why  is  the  brain  of  the  sparrow  inferior  in  size  to  that 
of  the  vulture,  an  animal  greatly  inferior  in  sagacity? 

I  answer  this  by  stating  that  the  circumstances  in  the  two 
cases  are  by  no  means  alike,  and  that  we  must  compare  the 
brains  of  animals  of  the  same  species  before  we  can  arrive 
at  a  proper  knowledge  of  the  effects  of  size.  A  large-brained 
vulture  will  manifest  greater  energy  than  a  small-brained 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  35 

one,  and  so  with  the  sparrow.  It  is  evident  that,  in  con- 
trasting such  different  animals,  circumstances  are  not  the 
same,  the  organization  or  constitution  of  the  sparrow's  brain 
being  different  from  that  of  the  vulture's,  and  the  intellectual 
organs  relatively  larger.  Compare  sparrows  with  sparrows, 
vultures  with  vultures,  &c,  and  the  truth  of  the  phrenological 
maxim  of  size  being,  costeris  paribus,  the  index  of  power,  will 
be  made  perfectly  manifest.  These  remarks  apply  to  the 
muscular  system  as  well  as  to  the  brain — the  bodily  strength 
of  some  animals  being  much  greater,  in  proportion  to  the 
size  of  their  muscles  than  that  of  others  of  a  different  species. 
The  flea,  for  example,  as  Haller  has  remarked,  can  draw 
from  seventy  to  eighty  times  its  own  weight,  whereas  a  horse 
cannot  draw  with  ease  more  than  three  times  its  own  weight. 
But  of  two  fleas,  that  which  has  the  larger  muscles  will  have 
the  greater  strength.  Again,  some  birds  with  small  eyes 
have  vision  keener  than  birds  of  a  different  species  with 
larger  eyes.  In  every  case,  therefore,  individuals  of  the  same 
species  must  be  compared. 

Is  intellectual  power  necessarily  proportioned  to  the  size 
of  the  brain  as  compared  ivith  that  of  the  body  ? 

It  is  not.  The  weight  of  the  brain,  for  instance,  to  that 
of  the  body  in  man,  (supposing  him  to  weigh,  on  an  average, 
154  pounds)  is  about  as  1  to  46;  in  several  varieties  of  the 
ape  tribe,  as  1  to  22;  in  the  sparrow,  as  1  to  25;  and  in  the 
canary,  as  1  to  14.  Man,  therefore,  has  a  smaller  brain,  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  his  body,  than  any  of  these  animals. 
In  like  manner,  the  brain  of  the  sagacious  elephant  is  rela- 
tively smaller  than  that  of  the  goose;  and  the  cerebral  mass 
of  the  intelligent,  half-reasoning  dog,  inferior  in  bulk  to  the 
brain  of  the  cat,  the  rat,  the  mouse,  and  some  other  creatures 
far  inferior  in  intellect.  It  thus  appears,  that  in  con- 
sidering the  intelligence  of  animals,  we  can  ground  little  on 
the  proportion  subsisting  between  the  brain  and  body. 


36  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

Have  all  nations  the  same  form  of  brain? 

No.  This  varies  considerably  in  different  countries.  The 
African  brain  differs  in  shape  from  the  European,  and  so 
does  the  Carib  and  Esquimaux.  Even  in  Europe,  the 
same  form  of  brain  does  not  prevail  rigidly ;  the  German 
bfain,  for  instance,  is  rounder  and  less  elongated  than  the 
French. 

Do  dispositions  ever  change  ? 

If  the  form  and  texture  of  the  brain  changes,  so  neces- 
sarily must  the  dispositions.  The  organ  marked  No.  1.  in  the 
bust,  for  example,  is  of  late  development,  seldom  attaining  its 
full  dimensions  till  the  approach  of  manhood,  when  in  con- 
sequence of  its  augmented  growth  a  manifest  change  takes 
place  in  the  character.  The  moral  and  intellectual  organs 
also  acquire  a  considerable  increase  about  the  same  period. 
"  It  is  now  for  the  first  time,  that  youth  begin  to  feel  strongly 
the  impulse  of  moral  sentiment,  realize  the  force  of  moral 
obligation,  and  place  ajust  estimate  on  moral  conduct.  Hence 
they  are  now  recognised,  in  judicial  proceedings,  as  moral 
agents.  And  hence,  it  is  by  no  means  uncommon  for  boys 
who  had  been  previously  vicious  and  unmanageable,  to  be- 
come now  correct  and  docile."17  If  Mr  Deville's  experiments 
can  be  relied  upon,  we  must  infer  that  education  and  change 
of  circumstances  may  alter  the  shape  of  the  head.  Accord- 
ing to  his  observation,  the  change  takes  place  in  the  situation 
of  those  organs  the  sphere  of  whose  activity  is  increased  or 
diminished.18 

May  not  character  change  without  a  corresponding  altera- 
tion in  the  shape  of  the  head? 

This  in  a  limited  sense  is  true.  Circumstances  by  calling 
into  activity  organs  which  have  been  little  exercised,  or 
repressing  the  activity  of  others  that  have  been  much  stimu- 

17  Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  vii.  p.  497.        18  See  Appendix,  No.  iv. 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  37 

lated,  may  produce  a  change  in  the  energy  of  their  respective 
functions.  Still,  in  such  a  case,  the  character  is  not  radically 
different;  it  is  only  partially  modified  by  the  force  of  cir- 
cumstances.   Change  these,  and  it  will  become  as  formerly.19 

Can  the  dispositions  of  the  lower  animals  be  inferred  from 
the  form  of  their  brain? 

They  can.  Cruel  ferocious  animals,  such  as  the  tiger, 
and  the  hyena,  have  a  particular  form  of  brain  very  differ- 
ent from  that  possessed  by  gentle,  timid  creatures,  as  the 
fawn  and  the  antelope.     The  brain  of  the  hawk  or  vulture 


19  Supposing  such  men  as  Charlemagne  and  Richard  Cceur  de  Lion,  to 
have  been  apprenticed  to  a  haberdasher,  they  would  certainly  cut  no 
very  distinguished  figure  in  this  situation ;  nay,  it  is  more  than  probable, 
they  would  be  dismissed  on  the  score  of  negligence  and  dulness.  Supposing, 
farther,  that  they  are  afterwards  placed  in  situations  calculated  to  call  into 
play  their  great  military  talents,  and  that  they  become  illustrious  warriors, 
their  former  masters  and  fellow-shopmen  would  then  call  to  mind  the  stu- 
pidity which  they  displayed  behind  the  counter,  and  very  gravely  infer  that 
a  remarkable  change  has  taken  place  in  their  characters.  There  is  no  such 
change,  however,  as  is  here  imagined.  While  officiating  as  haberdashers, 
they  were  out  of  their  element,  and  the  formidable  qualities  of  their  minds 
had  no  room  for  display.  When,  however,  it  came  to  be  a  question  of 
commanding  armies,  these  qualities  were  brought  into  energetic  operation, 
and  they  no  longer  appeared  the  same  men.  Dr.  Blair  has  the  following 
just  remarks  on  change  of  character.  "The  seeds  of  various  qualities, 
good  and  bad,  lie  in  all  our  hearts;  but  until  proper  occasions  ripen  and 
bring  them  forward,  they  lie  there  inactive  and  dead."  "For  a  while,  the 
man  is  known  neither  by  the  world  nor  by  himself  to  be  what  he  truly  is. 
But  bring  him  into  a  new  situation  of  life,  which  accords  with  his  predo- 
minant dispositions,  which  strikes  on  certain  latent  qualities  of  his  soul  and 
awakens  them  into  action;  and  as  the  leaves  of  a  flower  gradually  unfold 
to  the  sun,  so  shall  all  his  true  character  open  full  to  view.  This  may,  in 
one  light  be  accounted,  not  so  much  an  alteration  of  character,  produced  by 
a  change  of  circumstances,  as  a  discovery  brought  forth  of  the  real  character, 
which  formerly  lay  concealed.  Yet,  at  the  same  time,  it  is  true  that  the 
man  himself  undergoes  a  change.  For  the  opportunity  being  given  for  cer- 
tain dispositions,  which  had  been  dormant,  to  exert  themselves  without 
restraint,  they,  of  course,  gather  strength.  By  means  of  the  ascendancy 
which  they  gain,  other  parts  of  the  temper  are  borne  down,  and  thus  an  al- 
teration is  made  in  the  whole  structure  and  system  of  the  soul." — Blair's 
Sermons. 


38  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

differs  in  shape  from  that  of  the  dove.  Birds  which  sing 
have  a  differently  formed  brain  from  those  which  do  not.20 
A  more  accurate  comparison,  however,  may  be  drawn  between 
the  heads  of  animals  of  the  same  species  :  thus,  there  is  a 
marked  difference  in  the  heads  of  two  horses  or  dogs,  one 
gentle,  and  the  other  vicious. 

V/hat  organs  are  we  disposed  to  exercise  most? 
Those  which  are  largest.  Little  gratification  is  exper- 
ienced in  the  exercise  of  the  weaker  faculties  :  thus,  a  man 
who  is  not  at  all  combative,  would  feel  exceedingly  annoyed 
at  the  idea  of  being  obliged  to  fight ;  while  another,  with  a 
different  configuration  of  brain  would  feel  delight  in  having 
an  opportunity  of  indulging  his  favourite  propensity.  Nor 
is  this  law  confined  to  the  cerebral  organs  :  a  man  of  great 
muscular  power  is  fond  of  hard  exercise  ;  another  of  little 
physical  energy  dislikes  it,  and  is  partial  to  rest. 

Are  the  habitual  attitude,  expression,  and  language  affected 
by  the  predominating  organs  f 

They  generally  are.  It  is  seldom  difficult  to  detect  by 
his  air,  carriage,  and  conversation,  when  a  man  is  proud,  vain, 
bold,  timid,  or,  crafty.  These  indications  are  called  natural 
language,  or  pathognomy.  Some  persons  deny  its  existence. 
When,  however,  we  remind  them  that  sighing,  sobbing,  and 
groaning  are  the  natural  language  of  grief ;  laughter  of  mirth; 
cursing  and  stamping  with  the  foot  of  rage ;  and  trembling, 
paleness,  and  speechlessness  of  fear,  they  will  see  the  absur- 
dity of  their  denial.  The  existence  of  pathognomy,  as  con- 
nected with  many  of  the  faculties,  is  too  obvious  to  require 
demonstration,  and  every  man  who  has  paid  attention  to 
the  subject  must  admit  it.  By  painters  and  actors  it  is  ac- 
knowledged to  the  fullest  extent.     Who  does  not  at  once 

20  In  many  animals,  however,  we  can  draw  no  inference  by  looking-  at  the 
head  merely.  In  the  elephant,  for  instance,  an  immense  cavity  or  sinus  in- 
tervenes betwixt  the  brain  and  the  outer  table  of  the  skull 


GENERAL  PRINCIPLES.  39 

recognize  the  strut  of  pride,  the  smirk  of  vanity,  the  compressed 
lip  and  energetic  step  of  firmness,  the  stealthy  glance  of  cun- 
ning, the  upraised  eye  and  lip  of  wonder,  the  bland  expression 
and  kindly  tone  of  benevolence,  the  looks  raised  to  heaven, 
the  clasped  hands,  and  bended  knees  of  veneration  ! 

Of  how  many  organs  does  the  brain  consist? 

It  must  consist  of  as  many  as  there  are  primitive  mental 
faculties.  At  present,  phrenologists  admit  about  thirty  as 
distinctly  established  ;  others  they  speak  of  as  probable;  but 
these  are  not  to  be  regarded  as  constituting  the  whole  series. 
There  are  portions  of  the  base  of  the  brain  whose  functions 
are  yet  to  be  discovered. 

Are  the  organs  single  or  double  ? 

As  the  brain  is  double,  so  is  every  organ  ;  each  has  its 
fellow  on  the  opposite  side.  There  are  thus,  strictly  speak- 
ing, about  sixty  organs  ascertained,  but  as  an  organ  on  one 
side  co-operates  with  its  fellow  on  the  other,  it  is  customary 
to  speak  of  the  two  as  one,  seeing  that  they  manifest  only  a 
single  mental  quality. 

May  the  brain  be  wounded  or  diseased  on  one  side,  and 
yet  none  of  the  mental  faculties  suspended  ? 

Undoubtedly.  If  the  organ  of  Tune,  for  instance,  is  injured 
on  one  side,  its  fellow  on  the  other  not  being  impaired,  the 
faculty  will  continue  to  be  manifested,  although,  as  is  natural 
to  suppose,  with  less  vigour  than  when  both  organs  were 
perfectly  sound  ;  and  the  same  law  holds  with  regard  to  all 
the  other  organs,  just  as  a  person  can  still  hear  tolerably 
well  with  one  ear,  although  the  sense  is  quite  lost  in  the  other. 
But  injury,  of  one  side  of  the  brain  generally  affects  the 
other  sympathetically ;  although  the  fact  that  it  some- 
times does  not,  and  that  the  faculties  go  on  not  much  im- 
paired, is  a  sufficient  proof  both  that  there  is  a  plurality  of 
organs,  and  that  the  organs  are  double.21 

21  Careless  observers  often  bring  it  as  an  argument  against  Phrenology 


40  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

Are  we  always  to  expect  a  prominence  or  bump  when  a 
particular  organ  is  large  ? 

No.  If  several  adjoining  organs  are  all  large,  none  of 
them  will,  probably,  present  any  particular  projection  :  there 
will  be  merely  a  general  fulness  in  the  locality  occupied  by 
them.  It  is  only  when  an  organ  decidedly  predominates 
over  those  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  that  a  protuberance  is 
to  be  looked  for.  An  inexperienced  phrenologist  has  much 
difficulty  in  estimating  the  size  of  organs,  where  there  is 

that  in  cases  of  diseased  brain,  the  mind  is  not  at  all  affected,  when  some  of 
its  functions  are  in  reality  materially  disordered.  They  perceive  that  the 
person,  in  common  matters,  acts  perfectly  well,  that  he  answers  questions 
intelligibly,  and  hence  they  conclude  that  every  faculty  is  entire  j  whereas, 
if  they  were  to  investigate  the  matter  more  fully,  and  task  the  different 
organs  severely,  they  would  perceive  in  the  manifestations  of  some  of  them 
a  considerable  falling  off.  The  above  argument,  supposing  it  to  be  valid, 
would  only  go  to  prove  that  the  mind  has  no  connexion  with  the  brain,  a 
proposition  so  absurd  that  no  sane  intellect  can  now  for  a  moment  entertain 
it ;  but  why  should  the  argument  bear  more  against  Phrenology,  which 
teaches  that  each  faculty  of  the  mind  is  manifested  by  a  particular  part  of  the 
brain,  than  against  the  opposite  doctrine  that  the  whole  brain  is  concerned  in 
the  manifestation  of  each,  faculty  ?  Cases  of  extensive  disease  of  the  lungs 
and  liver  are  occasionally  met  with,  where  respiration  and  the  biliary  secre- 
tion are  very  little  affected.  In  the  number  for  July,  1833,  of  the  Glasgow 
Medical  Journal,  we  are  told  of  a  case  in  the  Stilling  Dispensary  where 
six  pounds  of  fluid  were  found  in  the  right  cavity  of  the  chest,  compressing 
the  corresponding  lung  into  a  mere  membrane,  a  fourth  of  an  inch  in  thick- 
ness ;  and  yet  during  life,  breathing,  though  a  little  hurried,  appeared  to  be 
fully  and  perfectly  performed,  and  the  man  had  no  symptoms  which  indi- 
cated in  the  most  remote  degree  the  existence  of  thoracic  disease.  What 
would  we  think  if,  from  such  a  case,  it  was  attempted  to  be  inferred  that  the 
lungs  were  not  the  organs  of  respiration.  Admirably  in  this  instance  as  the 
sound  lung  supplied  the  part  of  the  diseased  one,  still  it  is  not  to  be  inferred 
that  the  respiratory  apparatus  was  capable  of  sustaining  the  same  effort  as 
in  perfect  health.  For  ordinary  breathing  it  sufficed  almost  perfectly,  but 
had  the  person  attempted  running  or  any  other  violent  exercise,  its  inade- 
quacy would  then  have  appeared  sufficiently  manifest.  The  same  remark 
applies  to  the  brain.  In  injuries  thereof,  when  the  intellect  is  said  not 
to  suffer,  we  must  ascertain  whether  the  part  injured  is  really  connected 
with  the  intellect  It  may  appertain  to  the  propensities  or  sentiments,  in 
which  case  the  intellectual  powers  may  not  suffer,  although  the  injury  is 
considerable. 


) 

GENEEAL  PEINCIPLES.  41 

uniformity  of  surface,  and  is  hence  apt  to  deny  the  possi- 
bility of  practically  following*  up  the  science;  but  one  who 
has  sufficiently  studied  it  feels  no  such  difficulty.  He  esti- 
mates the  dimensions  of  the  organs  correctly,  although 
there  is  not  the  slightest  bulging  out  of  any  particular  part 
beyond  those  in  its  vicinity  ;  but  this  requires  considerable 
experience,  and  is  not  to  be  learned  all  at  once. 

Does  Phrenology  admit  of  exceptions  9 

It  does  not.  A  single  exception  would  entirely  overthrow 
whatever  part  of  the  phrenological  doctrine  it  should  be  at 
variance  with.  When  an  apparent  exception  does  occur, 
it  must  be  attributed  to  ignorance  on  the  part  of  the  ob- 
server, or  to  a  want  of  health  in  the  brain.  Taking  man- 
kind in  the  mass,  a  skilful  phrenologist  will  infer  character 
with  great  accuracy  in  nineteen  cases  out  of  twenty.  It  is 
not  pretended,  however,  that  practical  Phrenology  has  yet 
attained  to  perfection.22 

How  are  the  faculties  classified? 

The  faculties  are  divided  into  two  orders — the  Feelings, 

22  The  reputation  of  Phrenology  has  been  often  endangered  by  the  abor- 
tive attempts  of  ignorant  pretendera  to  infer  character  from  examination  of 
the  head.  Before  this  can  be  done  properly,  not  only  much  experience,  but 
a  good  share  of  tact  and  analytical  talent  are  necessary.  There  are  two  risks 
to  be  encountered,  that  of  estimating  erroneously  the  size  of  the  different 
organs,  and  that  of  drawing  faulty  conclusions  from  the  estimate,  even  sup- 
posing it  to  be  true.  Spurzheim  was  3trongly  opposed  to  the  practice,  now 
so  much  in  vogue,  of  indiscriminately  inferring  character  from  examination 
of  the  head.  Where  the  character  is  a  marked  one,  the  science  may  be 
benefited  by  observing  how  far  the  talents  and  dispositions  correspond  with 
the  form  of  brain  possessed  by  the  individual  j  but  how  seldom  is  it  that  we 
meet  with  marked  characters !  These  observations  are  the  more  necessary, 
as  there  are  a  set  of  phrenological  quacks,  who,  on  all  occasions,  undertake 
to  tell  the  character  of  any  person,  however  common-place.  Such  preten- 
ders naturally  fall  into  errors,  and  an  outcry  is  immediately  raised  that 
Phrenology  is  false.  With  the  same  reason  might  it  be  said,  that  there  is 
no  truth  in  Davy's  allegation  that  the  alkalies  possess  metallic  bases,  be- 
cause the  fact  could  not  be  demonstrated  experimentally  by  some  bungler 
in  Chemistry. 


4*2  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES. 

or  Affective  Faculties,  and  the  Intellect.  These, 
again,  are  divided  into  Genera — the  Feelings  into  the 
Propensities  and  Sentiments,  and  the  Intellect  into  the 
Perceptive  and  Reflective  Faculties,  This  arrangement  is 
not  unobjectionable,  but  in  the  present  state  of  our  know- 
ledge, a  perfectly  accurate  classification  of  the  faculties 
cannot  be  attained. 


ORDER  I.— FEELINGS  OR  AFFECTIVE 
FACULTIES. 

What  are  the  feelings,  or  affective  faculties? 

They  may  be  described  simply  as  those  faculties  which 
give  rise  to  affections  or  emotions,  and  which  neither  know 
nor  reason.  They  are,  in  themselves,  mere  blind  impulses, 
and  unless  governed  by  the  intellect  are  apt  to  run  into  the 
grossest  abuses.  Thus  Destructiveness,  without  such  guidance, 
may  lead  to  indiscriminate  violence  and  massacre,  Venera- 
tion to  the  worshipping  of  images  instead  of  the  true  God, 
Adhesiveness  to  attachment  to  worthless  characters,  Self- 
Esteem  to  exorbitant  pride,  and  Love  of  Approbation  to 
overweening  and  ridiculous  vanity. 

GENUS  I. — PROPENSITIES. 

What  is  a  propensity  f 

The  term  Propensity,  is  applied  by  Dr.  Spurzheim,  to 
those  affective  faculties  which  produce  only  desires  or  inclina- 
tions, and  which  likewise  prompt  to  certain  corresponding 
modes  of  action.  The  classification  of  the  faculties,  however, 
is  not  altogether  in  accordance  with  this  definition. 

1.   AMATIVENESS. 

Where  is  this  organ  situated,  and  what  is  its  function? 

The  cerebellum,  or  little  brain,  which  lies  in  the  lower  and 
posterior  portion  of  the  skull,  immediately  under  the  cere- 
brum, or  brain  proper,  and  behind  the  top  of  the  spinal 
marrow  is  the  seat  of  the  amative  propensity.  This  point 
is  now  universally  admitted  by  physiologists,  and  is  sup- 
ported by  so  many  facts  that  it  can  no  longer  be  doubtful. 
The  effects  of  cerebellar  disease  in  calling  the  sexual  feeling 


44 


AMATIVENESS. 


into  vehement  action,  demonstrate  conclusively  that  the 
latter  has  its  seat  in  the  particular  part  of  brain  alluded 
to.  The  great  purpose  served  by  Amativeness  is  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  species.23 

What  external  indications  are  presented  when  the  organ 
is  very  large? 

There  is  much  fulness  at  the  back  and  lower  part  of  the 
head,  an  unusual  distance  between  the  mastoid  processes,24 
and  great  thickness  of  the  neck.  Subjoined  is  an  engraving 
of  the  Emperor  Caracalla's  head,  in  which  the  rotundity  and 
thickness  of  neck,  and  its  extent  backwards  from  the  ear 
will  be  observed.  It  represents  a  very  great  development 
of  the  organ  in  question. 


23  The  circumstances  which  led  Dr.  Gall  to  the  discovery  of  the  organ 
are  curious,  and  are  fully  detailed  in  his  own  great  work,  and  in  the  writ- 
ings of  Dr.  Spurzheim. 

24  Those  hard  prominences  immediately  behind,  and  at  the  root  of 
the  ear. 


AMATIVENESS.  45 

Is  the  organ  larger  in  men  than  in  the  other  sex  f 
It  is  so  in  most  cases.  Women  in  whom  it  is  large, 
are  more  easily  seduced  than  those  with  a  small  de- 
velopment :  it  is  generally  very  full  in  those  unfortunate 
females  who  walk  the  streets,  and  gain  a  livelihood  by 
prostitution.  In  what  are  called  "  ladies'  men"  the  organ 
is  small.  These  individuals  feel  towards  women  precisely 
as  they  would  to  one  of  their  own  sex.  Women  intuitively 
know  this,  and  acquire  a  kind  of  easy  familiarity  with  them 
which  they  do  not  attain  with  men  of  a  warmer  com- 
plexion.25 
In  what  state  is  the  organ  at  different  periods  of  life  f 
In  childhood  it  is  very  small,  not  only  absolutely  but 
relatively.  At  birth,  the  cerbellum  to  the  rest  of  the  brain 
is  as  1  to  13,  15,  or  20.  In  adults  as  1  to  6,  7,  or  8.  In 
some,  however,  it  is  much  less.  The  organ  increases  rapidly 
on  the  approach  of  manhood,  and  at  this  period,  dull  pains 
are  often  experienced  in  the  site  of  it.  In  old  age,  it 
diminishes,  like  the  rest  of  the  brain,  but  in  a  greater  ratio.26 


25  Ladies'  men  have  small  heads.  Self- Esteem  is  usually  small,  and  Love 
of  Approbation  well  developed.  A  large  brain,  especially  if  Self-Esteem  is 
also  large,  unfits  a  man  for  performing  the  character  successfully. 

26  "  By  the  kindness  "  of  Baron  Larrey,  says  Dr.  Gall,  "  I  saw  a  soldier 
Whose  antipathy  to  women  degenerated  into  perfect  madness.  The  sight  of 
a  woman  threw  him  into  fits  and  rendered  him  almost  furious.  Dr.  Spur- 
zheim  has  seen  a  similar  circumstance  in  England.  In  each  of  these  indivi- 
duals the  cerebellum  was  exceedingly  small.  A  physician  of  Vienna,  whose 
talents  were  of  a  high  order,  showed  a  marked  antipathy  to  women,  a 
peculiarity  which,  at  the  time,  we  attributed  to  his  love  of  solitude.  Some 
years  afterwards  he  died  of  phthisis,  and,  in  his  otherwise  large  head,  the 
space  appropriated  for  the  cerebellum  was  extremely  small.  The  distance 
from  one  mastoid  process  to  the  other  was  scarcely  three  inches :  the  occipital 
cavities  instead  of  bulging  out  were  partly  quite  flat,  partly  even  depressed." 
"It  has  been  objected  that  an  organ  cannot  produce  an  effect  opposite;  to 
that  of  its  functions  j  but  is  not  the  stomach  the  organ  of  appetite  and  does 
it  not  sometimes  happen  that,  in  consequence  of  a  weak  state  of  this  viscus, 
we  have  a  disgust  at  any  kind  of  food  ?  " 


46  AMATIVENESS. 

When  does  the  organ  attain  its  full  sizef 

In  the  male,  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  twenty-six; 
in  the  female  a  little  earlier.  Young  lads  are  generally 
indifferent  about  female  society,  and  young  girls  about  that 
of  men.  As  the  organ  in  question,  enlarges,  a  change  is 
produced  in  the  feelings  of  the  two  sexes,  and  they  become 
fond  of  associating  with  each  other.  Women  with  small 
Amativeness  and  large  Adhesiveness  prefer  the  society  of 
their  own  sex  to  that  of  men.  To  the  latter  their  manners 
seem  passionless  and  frigid ;  and  even  when  gifted  with 
beauty,  they  are  felt  by  the  opposite  sex  to  be  far  less  inter- 
esting than  women  to  whom  nature  has  granted  fewer  charms 
of  person  but  a  different  cerebral  conformation. 

What  does  celibacy  generally  result  from  f 

In  general,  from  a  small  development  of  this  organ,  with 
moderate  Adhesiveness  and  Philoprogenitiveness.  Persons 
so  constituted,  even  although  they  can  conveniently  do  so, 
rarely  marry.  Judging  from  the  portraits  of  Kant,  Newton, 
and  Charles  XII.,  the  organ  of  Amativeness  seems  to  have 
been  small  in  the  heads  of  these  illustrious  men,  and  the 
strength  of  the  faculty  is  understood  to  have  been  in  keep- 
ing with  this  feeble  development.  The  same  remark  applies 
to  the  Right  Hon.  William  Pitt.27 

Is  there  any  thing  particular  in  the  action  of  this  organ, 
as  respects  the  inferior  animals  f 

There  is.  In  most  of  them  it  is  periodically  excited; 
being  at  other  times  in  a  great  measure  inactive. 

27  *'  Some  opponents  of  the  phrenological  doctrine  affirm,  that  physical 
love  has  been  found  very  strong  in  individuals  who  have  possessed  a  very 
small  cerebellum,  or  in  whom  that  organ  was  more  or  less  completely  des- 
troyed. I  am  doubtful  how  far  facts  of  this  kind  merit  confidence.  As  for 
myself,  I  declare  that  I  cannot  admit  them  until  they  shall  have  been  seen 
by  phrenologists;  we  must  look  with  particular  caution  on  facts  which  are 
only  witnessed  by  the  enemies  of  a  system,  especially  when  we  know  to 
what  lengths  designing  persons  are  capable  of  pushing  their  falsehoods." — 
Broussais. 


PHIL0PR0GEN1T1VENESS. 


47 


2.    PHILOPROGENITIVENESS. 

Describe  the  locality  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  immediately  above  Amativeness,  in  the  middle  of 
the  occiput,  and,  when  large,  gives  a  drooping  appearance 
to  the  back  of  the  head,  which  projects  much,  and  hangs, 
as  it  were,  over  the  neck.  A  large  development  of  the 
organ  is  shown  in  the  following  sketch. 


What  is  its  function? 

To  bestow  an  ardent  attachment  to  offspring,  and  children 
in  general;  and,  according  to  some  phrenologists,  to  weak 
and  tender  animals. 

In  which  sex  is  it  larger  ? 

In  the  female;  and  this  law  extends  to  the  lower  animals 
as  well  as  to  our  own  race.     Boys  exhibit  little  of  it;  the 


48  PHILOPROGENITIVENESS. 

case  is  different  with  little  girls,  who  show  its  activity  in 
their  fondness  for  dolls,  and  in  their  desire  to  carry  children 
in  their  arms,  even  when  they  can  scarcely  stand  under 
their  weight.  Mary  Wolstoncroft  denies  that  girls  have,  by 
nature,  a  greater  fondness  for  dolls  than  boys,  ascribing  the 
difference  to  education;  but  she  is  clearly  mistaken,  inas- 
much as  the  organ  on  which  the  love  of  young  depends,  is 
decidedly  larger  in  the  female  head  than  in  the  male.  The 
fondness  of  unmarried  women,  or  married  women  who  are 
childless,  for  cats  and  lap-dogs,  seems  to  depend  chiefly 
upon  this  organ. 

In  which  of  the  lower  animals  is  it  peculiarly  large  f 

In  the  monkey  tribe,  whose  affection  for  their  young  is 
quite  remarkable.  It  was  the  size  of  the  organ  in  these 
creatures,  coupled  with  their  love  of  offspring,  which  led 
Dr.  Gall  to  suspect  the  faculty  to  be  connected  with  this 
portion  of  the  brain. 

Do  all  animals  display  love  of  offspring  ? 

No.  The  cuckoo  (both  male  and  female)  abandons  its 
offspring,  and  leaves  them  to  be  brought  up  by  other  birds. 
Many  male  animals  take  no  charge  whatever  of  their  young, 
while  others  do  so  conjointly  with  the  females.  Such  is  the 
case  with  the  fox,  the  wolf,  the  roebuck,  the  rabbit,  and 
various  others. 

Does  love  of  children  not  rather  proceed  from  general 
benevolence  ? 

No;  for  persons  who  have  little  of  this  virtue  are  often 
passionately  fond  of  children,  and  others  who  have  a  great 
deal  of  it  care  not  for  their  society.  The  most  ferocious 
savages  are  often  extremely  affectionate  towards  their 
children.  Burke  the  murderer  had  a  large  development 
of  this  organ,  and  was  very  fond  of  children,  and  beloved 
by  them  in  return. 

What  is  the  result  of  a  small  development? 


PHIL0PR0GEN1TIVENESS.  49 

Indifference  to  children.  It  is  a  great  evil  when  a  mother 
is  so  constituted;  for,  however  estimable  she  may  otherwise 
be,  she  will  find  the  rearing  of  her  offspring  a  toil  rather 
than  a  pleasure;  and,  unless  her  conscientiousness  and  pru- 
dence be  great,  she  will  be  very  apt  to  neglect  them.  No 
woman  will  make  a  good  nurse  unless  well  endowed  with 
this  organ.  Women  who  commit  infanticide  have  generally 
a  small  development.28 

Wliat  is  the  result  of  a  great  development  ? 

An  ardent  love  of  children.  The  person  delights  to  take 
them  on  his  knee,  to  kiss  them,  to  relate  stories  to  them,  to 
play  with  them,  &c.  Some  of  the  sternest  minds  and  great- 
est heroes  have  been  distinguished  for  the  strength  of  this 
feeling.  Agesilaus,  the  warlike  monarch  of  Sparta,  used  to 
ride  on  a  stick  to  please  his  children.  On  one  occasion, 
King  Henry  IV.  of  France  was  seen  galloping  on  all  fours, 
one  of  his  children  on  his  back,  and  the  other  flogging  him 
with  a  whip.  The  passion  must  have  been  very  strong  in 
these  illustrious  men.      Children  have  an  intuitive  know- 


28  Dr.  Spurzheim  has  examined  thirty-seven  child-murderers,  and  in 
thirty  of  them  the  organ  of  Philoprogenitiveness  was  very  small.  "  In 
■women,"  says  he,  "  as  well  as  in  the  females  of  animals,  this  propensity  has 
different  degrees  of  energy.  Certain  cows  do  not  suffer  their  calves  to  suck  ; 
some  pigs,  cats,  rabbits,  &c.  kill  their  young,  while  other  females  of  the 
same  kind  of  animals  cry  for  several  days,  and  refuse  to  eat,  when  they  are 
bereft  of  their  offspring.  It  is  a  lamentable  truth  that  this  difference  of 
motherly  love  exists  also  in  mankind.  All  women  do  not  desire  to  become 
mothers;  some  consider  their  pregnancy  as  the  greatest  misfortune. 
Several  mothers  seek  various  pretexts  in  order  to  remove  their  children 
out  of  the  hoase.  There  are  others  who,  being  freed  from  shame,  reproach, 
misery,  and  many  inconveniences,  by  the  loss  of  their  illegitimate  children, 
yet  shed  tears  for  a  long  time  after,  at  the  remembrance  of  them.  Others, 
on  the  contrary,  see  their  legitimate  offspring  buried  without  a  pang. 
Thus,  it  is  beyond  doubt  that  natural  love  of  offspring  is  very  weak  in 
some  women.  It  is,  therefore,  wrong  to  believe  that  infanticide  is  a  more 
unnatural  act  than  any  other  murder." — View  of  the  Elementary  Principles 
of  Education,  2d  edit.  p.  319. 

C 


50  CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

ledge  of  persons  in  whom  this  organ  is  large,  and  come 
to  them,  as  it  were,  instinctively.29 

What  are  the  abuses  likely  to  result  from  too  great  a 
development  of  Philoprogenitiveness  ? 

If  the  feeling  be  excessive,  and  not  regulated  by  the  in- 
fluence of  other  faculties,  the  children  will  be  apt  to  get 
spoiled,  and  become  pert,  noisy,  unmannerly,  and  self-willed. 
Philoprogenitiveness  sometimes  becomes  diseased,  and  then 
there  is  the  most  violent  love  of  offspring,  with  overwhelm- 
ing grief,  often  terminating  in  madness,  at  their  loss. 

3.    CONCENTRATIVENESS. 

Where  is  Concentrativeness  situated? 

It  lies  immediately  above  Philoprogenitiveness,  and  be- 
low Self-Esteem. 

What  purpose  is  served  by  this  organ? 

It  is  believed  by  the  Leading  Scotch  phrenologists  to  be 
the  seat  of  that  power  which  enables  us  to  direct  the  in- 
tellect continuously  to  a  particular  subject  of  thought. 
Persons  with  a  large  endowment  are  not  apt  to  be  distracted 
from  what  they  are  engaged  in,  by  the  intrusion  of  extrane- 
ous ideas.  When  the  organ  is  disproportionately  large  or 
active,  absence  of  mind,  or  abstraction,  is  the  result. 

When  deficient,  what  is  the  consequence  ? 

The  individual  is  remarkable  for  great  volatility  of  manner, 
and  extreme  difficulty  in  directing  his  mind,  for  a  length  of 
time,  towards  any  one  subject.      He  is  continually  flying 


29  Dr.  Gall  justly  observes,  that  if  in  men  who  have  an  ardent  love 
of  children,  "the  organ  of  Amativeness  is  feebly  developed,  they  con- 
sole themselves  for  the  loss  of  a  beloved  spouse  with  a  resignation  which 
appears  very  philosophical,  while  the  death  of  a  child  plunges  them  into 
long-continued  and  inconsolable  grief.  The  barrenness  of  their  wives  dis- 
tresses them  exceedingly,  and  often  leads  them  to  treat  with  coldness, 
women  who  are  otherwise  unexceptionable." 


CONCENTRATIVENESS.  51 

from  topic  to  topic,  and  finds  it  almost  impossible  to  pursue 
a  continued  train  of  investigation.  Scatter-brained,  flighty 
people,  are  all  deficient  in  Concentrativeness.  Good  abilities 
may  exist,  however,  along  with  this  deficiency,  but  in  such 
a  case  they  are  deprived  of  half  their  usefulness  and  effect. 

Has  it  the  same  power  over  all  the  faculties  f 

Probably  not ;  it  appears  to  act  more  influentially  on 
some  than  on  others.  I  conceive,  that  the  faculties  con- 
cerned in  reasoning  and  calculation,  are,  in  an  especial 
manner,  governed  by  it ;  hence  metaphysicians,  mathemati- 
cians, &c,  are  peculiarly  subject  to  mental  absence. 

Are  phrenologists  agreed  on  the  functions  of  this  organ? 

No.  Dr.  Spurzheim  conceived  it  to  be  the  source  of 
attachment  to  particular  places;  hence  he  called  it  Inhabi- 
tiveness.30  He  never  coincided  with  the  views  of  the 
Scotch  phrenologists,  and  by  both  parties  the  subject  is  left 
open  for  farther  investigation. 

Mention  a  few  authors  whose  writings  are  distinguished 
hy  Concentrativeness, 

Campbell,  Pope,  and  Byron,  all  display  a  vigorous  con- 
centration of  thought  and  style.  In  Scott,  Coleridge,  and 
Southey,  there  is  much  less.  We  may  infer  (supposing  us 
to  have  properly  localised  this  faculty)  a  great  development 
of  the  organ  of  Concentrativeness  in  such  men  as  Tacitus, 
Thucydides,  Reid,  Locke,  and  Brown,  and  less  in  Dugald 

30  Amor  patrice  was  supposed  by  Dr.  Spurzheim  to  result  from  Inhabi- 
tiveness,  but  I  have  never  been  able  to  see,  that  one  organ  is  necessary  to 
give  attachment  to  places,  and  another  to  give  attachment  to  persons.  The 
question  has  often  been  asked,  Why  are  mountaineers  more  ardent  patriots 
than  the  inhabitants  of  the  plains  ?  Supposing  the  fact  to  be  true,  we  are 
not  j  ustified  in  inferring,  that  the  former  are  patriots  merely  because  they 
happen  to  be  mountaineers ;  for  the  real  cause  maybe,  that  they  are  secluded, 
and  have  little  opportunity  of  getting  their  views  expanded  into  cosmopoli- 
tanism. The  more  the  intellect  is  enlightened,  the  less  vivid  does  that 
ardent  attachment  to  one's  natale  solum,  which  often  constitutes  patriotism, 
become.     Savages  are  the  most  attached  to  their  native  land. 


5'2  ADHESIVENESS. 

Stewart  and   Beattie.      Archimedes,   Newton,  and   Adam 
Smith,  must  have  possessed  the  faculty  in  vast  energy. 

4.    ADHESIVENESS. 

Describe  the  situation  and  function  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  at  each  side  of,  and  rather  above,  Philoprogeni- 
tiveness,  and  is  that  portion  of  the  brain  with  which  the 
feeling  of  attachment  is  connected.  No  faculty,  save  Des- 
tructiveness,  is  displayed  more  early  than  this:  it  is  exhibited 
even  by  the  infant  in  the  nurse's  arms.  When  very  strong, 
it  gives  ardent  strength  of  attachment  and  warmth  of  friend- 
ship. 

Does  this  faculty  constitute  love  ? 

Not  strictly  speaking;  for  love,  in  the  legitimate  sense  of 
the  word,  is  a  compound  of  Amativeness  and  Adhesiveness. 
Such  is  the  love  which  the  lover  bears  to  his  mistress,  and 
the  husband  to  his  young  wife.  The  attachment  of  a  parent 
to  his  child,  or  of  a  brother  to  his  sister,  is  not,  in  reality, 
love,  but  strong  Adhesiveness — powerfully  aided,  in  the 
former  case,  by  Philoprogenitiveness. 

Is  this  faculty  more  energetic  in  men  or  women  ? 

Generally  in  the  latter;31  although  in  men  there  are  not 


31  "Women  are  generally  more  devoted  to  their  friends  than  men,  and 
display  an  indefatigable  activity  in  serving  them.  Whoever  has  gained 
the  affection  of  a  woman  is  sure  to  succeed  in  any  enterprise  wherein  she 
assists  him :  men  draw  back  much  sooner  in  such  cases.  Frequently  in  my 
life,  have  I  had  occasion  to  admire  in  females  the  most  generous  zeal  on 
behalf  of  their  friends.  Who  is  not  astonished  at  the  courage  shown  by  a 
v,oman  when  her  husband,  whose  misconduct  has  perhaps  a  thousand  times 
offended  her,  is  threatened  with  imminent  danger  ?  Who  does  not  know 
many  instances  of  the  most  heroic  devotedness  on  the  part  of  the  sex  ?  A 
woman  spares  no  effort  to  serve  her  friend  When  it  is  a  question  of  saving 
her  brother,  her  husband,  h.°r  father,  she  penetrates  into  prisons — she 
throws  herself  at  the  feet  of  her  sovereign.  Such  are  the  women  of  our 
day,  and  such  has  history  represented  those  of  antiquity.  Happy,  I  iepeat, 
is  he  who  has  a  woman  for  a  friend !  " — Gall. 


ADHESIVENESS.  53 

wanting  instances  of  the  most  violent  attachments,  even 
towards  their  own  sex.  Such  is  represented  to  have  been 
the  case  with  Py lades  and  Orestes,  and  with  Damon  and 
Pythias,  whose  attachment  to  each  other  (the  result  of 
excessive  Adhesiveness)  defied  even  death  itself.  What 
beautiful  pictures  of  friendship  between  men,  have  been 
drawn  by  Homer,  by  Virgil,  and  by  the  sacred  writers,  in 
the  instances  of  Achilles  and  Patroclus,  of  Nisus  and 
Euryalus,  and  of  Jonathan  and  David ! 

Can  this  faculty  co-exist  with  small  Benevolence  ? 

Facts  prove  that  it  may.  Robbers  and  murderers  some- 
times display  such  wonderful  attachment  to  each  other,  that 
even  the  rack  has  failed  to  extort  from  them  the  names  of 
their  accomplices  in  crime.  Mary  M'Innes,  who  was  exe- 
cuted for  murder,  had  a  large  development  of  this  organ, 
and  displayed  its  function  with  great  energy  on  the  scaffold. 
Friendship,  however,  is  destitute  of  much  of  its  lustre,  when 
the  moral  and  intellectual  sentiments  have  not  the  predomi- 
nance in  the  mind.  A  warm  friend  may  then  easily  be 
converted  into  a  mischievous  foe. 

Is  it  subject  to  abuse  ? 

Very  frequently  it  is  so.  Young  women,  and  sometimes 
young  men,  are  apt  to  form  absurd  and  romantic  attach- 
ments to  each  other,  which,  however,  being  based  upon  an 
unnatural  state  of  excitement  in  the  organ  of  Adhesiveness, 
necessarily  terminate  so  soon  as  the  excitement  ends;  and 
thus,  unless  there  are  eminent  moral  qualities  to  ensure 
permanence,  the  feeling  is  seldom  of  long  duration.  When 
a  coldness  once  takes  place,  mutual  antipathy  often  follows, 
and  the  quondam  friends  become  bitter  enemies.  People 
labouring  under  the  strong  influence  of  this  organ,  are  often 
incapable  of  perceiving  any  thing  like  blemish  in  their 
friends.  They  clothe  them  with  the  attributes  of  perfection, 
and  employ  the  most  extravagant  terms  of  praise  when 


j4  COMBATIVENESS. 

speaking  of  them  to  others.  Clanship,  when  improperly 
directed,  and  attachment  to  worthless  characters,  are  abuses 
of  the  faculty. 

What  is  the  natural  language  of  Adhesiveness  ? 

There  is  a  tendency  to  turn  the  head,  in  the  direction  of 
the  organ,  towards  the  object  to  whom  we  are  attached. 
Young  girls  may  be  seen  coming  from  school  with  their 
arms  thrown  over  each  other's  neck,  and  the  sides  of  the 
head  meeting  just  at  the  seat  of  this  organ.  A  mother 
fondling  her  child,  turns  the  side  of  her  head  towards  it. 
Two  lovers  taking  a  walk  arm  in  arm,  incline  the  head 
mutually  in  the  same  way. 

5.    COMBATIVENESS. 

Where  is  this  organ  situated? 

Between  the  mastoid  process  and  the  organs  of  Philopro- 
genitiveness  and  Adhesiveness.  It  corresponds  to  the  in- 
ferior angle  of  the  parietal  bone,  and  lies  immediately 
behind,  and  on  a  level  with,  the  top  of  the  ear. 

In  what  manner  does  the  faculty  manifest  itself? 

In  a  love  of  opposition  and  strife.  It  gives  boldness  to 
the  character.  The  combative  man  loves  danger,  meets  it 
fearlessly,  and  triumphs  over  difficulties,  which  would  over- 
whelm a  person  in  whom  the  organ  was  feebly  developed. 

In  what  class  of  men  is  the  organ  large  ? 

It  is  invariably  large  in  great  heroes,  in  determined  prize- 
fighters, and  in  men  any  way  remarkable  for  active  courage. 
The  gladiators  of  Rome  must  have  been  largely  endowed  with 
it. 32  It  is  remarkably  prominent  in  the  skulls  of  King  Robert 
Bruce  and  General  Wurmser  who  were  both  pre-eminent 

32  The  statues  of  the  gladiators  display  an  ample  bulging  out  in  the  seat  of 
the  organ— a  proof  that  the  ancients  recognized  great  courage  to  exist  in  com- 
bination with  a  particular  form  of  head.  This,  of  itself,  is  a  striking  evidence 
of  the  correctness  of  the  locality  assigned  to  the  organ  by  phrenologists. 


COMBATIVENESS. 


55 


for  valour.  It  was  very  large  in  the  head  of  the  French 
General  Lamarque,  whose  courage  was  remarkable,  and 
appears  greatly  developed  in  the  likenesses  of  Duguesclin, 
another  French  warrior,  distinguished  for  his  extraordinary 
valour.  In  the  skull  of  Robert  Burns  it  is  very  large; 
which  accounts,  in  some  measure,  for  his  controversial  pro- 
pensities. It  was  amply  developed  in  Dr.  Gall  who  pos- 
sessed, in  a  great  degree,  the  quality  of  personal  courage. 
The  character  of  Balfour  of  Burley,  as  delineated  in 
"  Old  Mortality,"  is  a  remarkable  instance  of  Combative- 
ness,  Destructiveness,  and  Firmness,  all  greatly  developed. 
The  same  remark  applies  to  the  character  of  Charles  the 
Bold,  as  displayed  in  "  Quentin  Durward ."  The  history  of 
Murat,  and  of  Marshal  Ney,  "  the  bravest  of  the  brave," 
presents  in  great  perfection  the  picture  of  excessive  Com- 
bativeness.     The  organ,  when  large,  is  easily  discriminated. 


If  we  compare  such  a  head  as  that  of  Duguesclin,  in  the 
above  engraving,  with  that  of  a  person  who  dislikes  fight- 
ing or  contention,  a  marked  difference  of  shape  will  be  per- 
ceived in  the  position  of  the  organ. 


56  COMBATIVENESS. 

Is  a  man  with  much  Combativeness  necessarily  addicted 
to  fighting  or  other  varieties  of  contention? 

Such  is  the  natural  tendency  of  his  mind,  although,  in 
common  circumstances,  he  may,  by  means  of  other  faculties, 
keep  this  one  sufficiently  under  restraint.  If  Destructive- 
ness  is  moderate  and  Benevolence  large,  some  kind  of 
harmless  contention  will  be  preferred.  The  former  organ, 
however,  is  very  generally  large  when  Combativeness  is 
well  developed. 

Are  all  nations  equally  endowed  with  this  faculty  ? 

No.  The  organ  is  small  in  the  Hindoo  and  Peruvian 
heads,  and  exceedingly  large  in  the  Carib;  and  the  dispo- 
sitions of  these  nations  are  in  perfect  accordance  with  their 
respective  developments — the  two  former  being  mild  and 
unwarlike,  the  latter  immoderately  fond  of  fighting. 

What  happens  when  the  organ  is  too  large,  or  not  suffi- 
ciently controlled  by  others  ? 

The  consequences  are  lamentable.  The  individual  is  for 
ever  engaged  in  quarrels  and  getting  himself  involved  in 
difficulties,  from  his  ungovernable  love  of  contention.  Should 
Destructiveness  be  also  full,  he  is  very  apt  to  strike  on  any 
occasion  in  which  he  may  be  offended,  g  A  word  and  a 
blow  "  is  his  favourite  maxim.  He  is  a  profound  admirer  of 
the  argumentum  ad  hominem. 

What  is  the  result  when  the  organ  is  very  small  f 

In  such  a  case,  the  person  abhors  strife  and  competition  of 
every  kind,  and  purposely  avoids  them.  His  temper  may  be 
warm,  but  he  will  seldom  have  courage  to  display  it  in  the 
form  of  blows. 

is  Combativeness  a  useful  faculty  ? 

It  is  eminently  so,  by  conferring  determination  and  intre- 
pidity of  character.  "  Courage,"  says  Dr.  Johnson,  "  is  a 
quality  so  necessary  for  maintaining  virtue,  that  it  is  always- 
respected,  even  when  it  is  associated  with  vice." 


DESTRUCTIVENESS.  57 

Are  the  consequences  of  a  large  development  as  strongly 
marked  in  the  lower  animals  as  in  man  ? 

They  are.  The  poodle,  the  pointer,  and  the  spaniel  have 
the  organ  small,  the  bull  dog  and  the  mastiff  large;  and  the 
dispositions  of  the  animals  correspond.  "  Dogs,"  observes 
Dr.  Gall,  "that  cannot  be  trained  for  fighting,  have  the 
head  narrow  above,  and  a  little  behind  the  ears;  while  those 
possessed  of  much  courage  are  large  in  this  region."  In  the 
heads  of  the  two  dogs  represented  in  the  section  on  Benevo- 
lence, the  difference  of  size  in  the  region  of  Combativeness 
is  very  apparent.  Cock-fighters  and  pigeon-fanciers  know 
from  experience,  that  a  particular  formation  of  head  in  these 
birds  is  connected  with  courage,  and  another  with  cowardice. 
This  difference  exists  in  the  region  of  Combativenes. 

6.    DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

What  quality  results  from  this  organ  ? 

The  passion  to  destroy,  and  the  propensity  to  inflict  pain, 
uneasiness,  and  injury  in  general.  When  uncontrolled  by 
Benevolence  it  prompts  to  unmitigated  cruelty,  and  the  person 
is  fierce,  passionate,  revengeful,  and  ferocious.  When  so 
controlled,  there  is  merely  much  warmth  of  feeling,  irascibility 
without  cruelty,  and  a  tendency  to  be  severe  on  proper 
occasions. 

How  is  a  large  Destructiveness  known  ? 

By  a  considerable  and  rounded  fulness  above  the  opening 
of  the  ear,  and  by  width  of  head  at  that  part.  Those 
whose  heads  are  flat  in  this  situation,  and  narrow  above  the 
ears,  are  never  destructive.  When  the  external  opening  of 
the  ear  is  placed  very  low,  it  is  one  sign  of  large  Destructive- 
ness. The  skull  delineated  in  the  engraving  exhibits  a 
remarkably  large  development  of  this  organ.  It  belonged 
to  an  incorrigible  female  thief,  of  whom  Dr.  Gall  observes, 

c2 


58  DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

that  a  case  will  never  be  met  with,  in  which  the  organs, 
whose  abuse  leads  to  theft,  to  cunning,  and  to  murder,  are 
more  amply  developed. 


How  was  the  organ  first  ascertained  ? 

Dr.  Gall  first  noticed  it  by  observing  the  difference  at 
this  particular  situation,  between  the  heads  of  carnivorous 
and  graminivorous  animals.  In  the  former  the  quantity  of 
brain  in  the  region  of  Destructiveness  is  great;  in  the  latter 
the  reverse.33 

When  does  Destructiveness  first  display  itself? 

At  the  moment  of  birth.  The  angry  cries  of  the  new- 
born child  are  manifestations  of  the  faculty.34 

Does  a  large  development  communicate  any  particular 
character  to  the  manner  and  expression? 

Yes :  destructive  people  have  generally  a  sharp,  sparkling 


33  All  carnivorous  animals  are  necessarily  destructive.  Some  of  them, 
such  as  the  wolf,  the  fox,  the  bear,  and  the  lion,  kill  only  to  procure  food, 
others  from  a  mere  blind  pleasure  in  killing",  as  is  the  case  with  the  tiger, 
the  hyena,  the  pole-cat,  the  marten,  and  the  weasel. 

34  An  irritable  frame  is  favourable  to  the  activity  of  Destructiveness; 
hence  the  frequent  ebullitions  of  temper  displayed  during  the  reign  of  child- 
hood, and  also  by  grown  people  who  labour  under  bad  health.  "  No  man," 
says  Lord  Bacon,  "  is  angry,  who  feels  not  himself  hurt :  and,  therefore,  deli- 
cate and  tender  persons  must  needs  be  often  angry,  they  havejso  many  things 
to  trouble  them,  which  more  robust  natures  have  little  sense  of." 


DESTRUCTIVENESS.  o9 

eye,  a  loud  and  often  cutting  voice,  quickness  of  movement, 
and  energy  of  character.  When  engaged  in  disputation, 
they  are  apt  to  get  fierce  and  animated,  striking  the  table, 
as  if  to  enforce  their  positions,  and  speaking  in  a  loud  and 
irritated  manner.35 

In  what  class  of  persons  may  a  large  development  be  ex- 
pected ? 

Distinguished  warriors,  duellists,  sportsmen,  and  boxers, 
and  severe  and  sarcastic  polemics  must  be  well  endowed 
with  the  organ;  so  must  surgeons  who  are  passionately  fond 
of  operations,  and  men  who,  from  choice,  follow  the  trade 
of  a  butcher.  In  such  men  as  Knox  and  Luther,  it,  in 
combination  with  Combativeness,  must  have  been  large. 
It  was  very  large  in  the  head  of  King  Robert  Bruce.  It 
prompts  and  gives  keenness  to  satire,  and  is  very  perceptible  in 
the  style  of  such  writers  as  Pope,  Burns,  Byron,  Swift,  and 
Smollett.  In  the  heads  of  the  murderers  Hare,  Burke,  and 
Bellingham,  it  was  large,  and  it  must  have  been  excessive  in 
those  of  Nero,  Caligula,  Marat,  Danton,  and  Robespierre.36 

May  a  virtuous  man  have  this  organ  as  largely  developed 
as  a  murderer? 

He  may  undoubtedly,  but  in  him  there  are  other  faculties 
which  keep  it  in  check,  and  prevent  the  display  of  its  more 
violent  manifestations  ;  the  murderer  has  no  such  restraints. 

35  The  frequent  indulgence  in  Destructiveness  gives  coarseness  of  man- 
ners. "  Whence,"  as  Lord  Kaimes  inquires,  "  the  rough  and  harsh  manners 
of  our  West  India  planters,  but  from  the  unrestrained  license  of  venting 
ill-humour  upon  their  negro  slaves  ?" 

36  Calvin,  who  burned  Servetus  over  a  slow  tire,  for  differing  with  him  on 
a  point  of  theology,  must  have  had  a  large  endowment  of  this  organ.  Both 
Combativeness  and  Destructiveness  appear  very  large  in  the  portraits  of 
Bonner,  Bishop  of  London,  a  man  of  violent  charater,  and  coarse  both  in  his 
manners  and  language,  and  who,  during  the  reign  of  the  "  Bloody  "  Mary, 
consigned  to  the  flames  no  fewer  than  200  individuals  for  their  religious 
opinions.  Caliban,  in  Shakspeare's  play  of  "The  Tempest,"  is  an  incar^ 
nation  of  pure  Destructiveness. 


GO  DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

The  late  Dr.  Gregory,  and  Mr.  Abernethy,  the  distinguished 
and  eccentric  surgeon,  had  probably  as  great  a  development 
of  Destructiveness,  absolutely  speaking,  as  Bellingham;  but 
in  them  it  was  controlled  by  energetic  moral  and  intellectual 
faculties;  while  the  miserable  assassin  of  Perceval  being 
wofully  deficient  in  these,  was  left  to  the  unbridled  sway  of 
his  lower  propensities,  and  revelled  in  vice.  Thus,  although 
the  positive  size  of  Destructiveness  may  not  have  been  greater 
in  him  than  in  them,  yet  its  relative  magnitude  in  proportion 
to  the  organs  of  the  moral  feelings,  was  infinitely  greater, 
and  hence  the  criminal  tendencies  of  his  depraved  mind. 

How  do  you  reconcile  the  good  endowment  of  Benevolence 
possessed  by  Thurtell>  with  his  character  as  a  murderer  ? 

Thurtell  frequently  showed  traits  of  benevolent  feeling, 
and  was,  on  this  account,  rather  popular  with  his  associates, 
His  Benevolence,  however,  was  no  match  for  the  excited 
energy  of  his  great  Destructiveness,  and  other  animal  pro- 
pensities ;  and  a  phrenologist,  on  examining  his  head,  so  far 
from  inferring  it  to  be  that  of  an  amiable  or  virtuous  char- 
acter would  conclude  that  it  belonged  to  one  strongly 
addicted  to  low  indulgences,  and,  when  in  a  state  of  excite- 
ment, to  acts  of  violent  outrage. .  When  the  propensities 
were  not  in  this  excited  condition,  he  would  manifest  good- 
nature and  benevolence,  and  the  annals  of  his  life  show  that 
he  was  very  capable  of  kind  actions.37   It  is  Phrenology  alone 

37  Some  people  foolishly  imagine,  that  when  a  man  is  hanged  for  taking 
away  life,  he  must  needs  be  totally  destitute  of  Benevolence  j  not  reflecting 
that  people  are  always  governed  by  the  strongest  motives,  and  that  if,  in 
an  unhappy  moment,  Destructiveness  is  so  furiously  excited,  as  to  over- 
power  the  counteracting  effect  of  Benevolence,  it  must  lead  to  violent,  and 
frequently  fatal,  results.  Had  Thurtell  possessed  a  very  poor  develop, 
ment  of  Benevolence,  his  head  would  have  afforded  a  strong  argument  that 
phrenologists  were  in  error  respecting  the  locality  of  this  organ,  in  so  far 
as,  in  accordance  with  such  a  development,  his  whole  actions  should  have 
been  characterized  by  a  destitution  of  benevolent  feeling,  which  was  very 
far  from  being  the  case.     Moir,  who  was  executed  for  shooting,  in  a  fit  of 


DESTRUCTIVENESS.  61 

which  can  explain  these  apparent  anomalies  of  character. 
Men  of  far  higher  moral  powers  than  Thurtell,  have  been 
hanged  for  murder,  committed  in  a  moment  of  violent  passion, 
under  the  influence  of  a  provoked  and  ungovernable  De- 
structiveness.33 
Mention  a  few  modes  in  which  the  feeling  manifests  itself 
It  is  shown  in  a  love  of  hunting,  rat-killing,  dog-fighting, 


violent  passion,  a  fisherman  who  had  grossly  insulted  and  outraged  him, 
was  understood  to  be  a  very  benevolent  man,  when  his  ungovernable  tem- 
per was  not  roused  into  activity.  It  would  be  absurd  to  expect,  in  such  a 
head,  a  small  organ  of  Benevolence,  and  yet  he  was  hanged  for  murder. 
A  man  was  executed  in  Glasgow,  a  few  years  ago,  for  stabbing  a  person  by 
whom  he  was  overpowered,  in  a  fight  which  took  place  between  them  when 
half  drunk.  This  man's  previous  character  was  not  only  fair,  but  excel- 
lent. Mackean,  who  was  hanged  at  Glasgow  for  the  murder  of  the  Lanark 
carrier,  had  a  pretty  fair  Benevolence,  and,  till  the  commission  of  this 
crime,  his  character  displayed  traits  of  the  feeling,  and  was  not  considered 
very  bad.  He  perpetrated  the  deed  in  a  momentary  fit  of  rage,  and  his 
Destructiveness  was  such  as  would  prompt  to  violence  under  provocation. 
Had  Benevolence  been  small,  the  general  tenor  of  his  life  would  have  indi- 
cated its  feeble  influence,  but  such  was  not  the  case.  A  good  development 
of  this  organ,  with  preponderating  Destructiveness  and  Combativeness, 
deficient  Conscientiousness,  and  a  poor  intellect,  especially  if  the  person 
moves  in  depraved  society,  and  is  addicted  to  drinking,  will  not  secure  him 
ngainst  the  commission  of  gross  violence,  and,  under  certain  circumstances, 
of  murder  itself. 

38  Peter  the  Great  was  a  striking  illustration  of  Benevolence  and  Des- 
tructiveness—of  kindness  and  cruelty  in  combination.  "  Owing  to  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  he  was  placed,  and  the  determination  to  execute  the 
plan  he  had  conceived  of  remodelling  the  customs  and  institutions  of  his 
country,  he  had  to  maintain  a  constant  struggle  between  his  good  and  evil 
genius.  Nothing  was  too  great,  nothing  too  little  for  his  comprehensive 
mind.  The  noblest  undertakings  were  mixed  with  the  most  farcical  amuse- 
ments; the  most  laudable  institutions  for  the  benefit  of  his  subjects  were 
followed  by  shaving  their  beards  and  docking  their  skirts.  Kind-hearted, 
benevolent,  and  humane,  he  set  no  value  on  human  life.  Owing  to  these, 
and  many  other  incongruities,  his  character  has  necessarily  been  represented 
in  various  points  of  view,  and  in  various  colours  by  his  biographers." 
"  His  memory  among  his  countrymen,  who  ought  to  be  the  best  judges,  and 
of  whom  he  was  at  once  the  scourge  and  the  benefactor,  is  held  in  the 
highest  veneration."— Family  Library. 


G'2  DESTRUCTIVENESS. 

and  attending  public  executions.  It  is  told  of  La  Condamine, 
that  on  one  occasion,  when  he  was  making  efforts  to  pene- 
trate the  crowd  assembled  to  witness  an  execution,  and  was 
pushed  back  by  the  soldiers,  the  executioner  said,  "Let 
the  gentleman  pass,  he  is  an  amateur."  The  mischievous 
habit  of  breaking  windows,  gates,  posts,  and  trees,  so  common 
in  this  country,  is  a  manifestation  of  the  faculty:  so  is  the 
common  and  atrocious  crime  of  fire-raising.  A  passionate 
child  kicks  the  stool  over  which  it  stumbled  :  this  simple  act 
proceeds  from  Destructiveness.  People  who  indulge  in  abuse 
are  all  destructive.  Cursing  and  swearing  are  displays  of 
the  propensity.  Xantippe,  the  wife  of  Socrates,  was  highly 
destructive,  so  was  Catherine,  in  the  comedy  of  "  The 
Taming  of  the  Shrew,"  and  so  is  the  whole  family  of  scolds 
and  termagants.  Clergymen  who  address  themselves  much 
to  the  fears  of  their  audience,  and  dwell  strongly  upon  the 
terrors  of  future  punishment,  have  this  organ  large. 

Is  Destructiveness  often  violently  roused  ? 

No  organ  is  so  frequently  in  a  state  of  excitation.  You 
cannot  cross  the  street,  or  sit  an  hour  in  the  company  of 
people  of  different  religious  or  political  sentiments,  without 
seeing  it  called  into  action.  If  you  behold  a  cat  pouncing 
upon  a  mouse,  or  two  dogs  growling  at  each  other  about  a 
bone,  you  have  an  instance  of  the  faculty  being  at  work. 
Homicidal  monomania,  or  the  irresistible  desire  to  murder, 
is  the  effect  of  a  diseased  excitement  of  Destructiveness,  and 
many  miserable  lunatics  have  perished  on  the  scaffold,  for 
homicides  committed  under  its  influence.  Great  ignorance 
prevails  among  judges  and  juries  with  regard  to  this  subject.39 


39  I  saw  a  man, named  Papaverine,  guillotined  at  Paris,  in  1825,  for  murder. 
On  reading  his  trial,  I  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  idea  that  the  crime 
was  committed  under  the  influence  of  insanity,  and  that  the  man  ought  not 
to  have  been  put  to  death.  This  view  of  the  case  ha3  been  since  adopted  in 
works  on  insanity,  and  is  now  admitted  to  be  sound.     The  same  year,  I 


DESTRUCTIVENESS.  63 

Are  destructive  people  necessarily  brave  ? 

No.  They  are  often  great  cowards  when  brought  to  face 
real  danger.  Valour  depends  upon  Combativeness,  and 
destructive  people  have  often  little  of  this  quality.  At  the 
same  time,  Destructiveness  sharpens  Combativeness,  and 
adds  much  to  its  energy  on  the  field  of  battle.  Firmness 
gives  endurance  to  both  these  faculties,  and  prevents  them 
from  rapidly  exhausting  themselves.40 

What  results  from  a  want  of  Destructiveness? 

The  mind  is  deficient  in  fire  and  edge,  and  in  that  degree 
of  severity  which  is  of  great  use  in  the  business  of  life. 


witnessed  at  Versailles,  the  decapitation  of  a  miserable  wretch,  convicted 
of  murdering,  and  of  afterwards  eating-  the  flesh  of  his  victim— a  young-  girl, 
against  whom  he  entertained  no  animosity  whatever.  When  apprehended, 
he  had  plenty  of  money  upon  him,  a  proof  that  he  was  not  impelled  by 
want.  He  could  assign  no  motive  for  the  dreadful  act,  but  an  insatiable 
desire  to  eat  human  flesh.  Gaulius  speaks  of  a  man  who  had  a  similar 
passion,  and  who,  to  gratify  it,  committed  many  murders.  His  daughter, 
though  separated  from  him,  and  well  brought  up,  yielded  to  the  same  hor- 
rible desire,  and  became  also  a  cannibal.  "  At  the  commencement  of  the  last 
century,"  says  Spurzheim,  "many  murders  were  committed  in  Holland, 
upon  the  frontiers  of  Cleves.  The  author  of  these  crimes  was,  for  a  long 
time,  unknown,  but  at  last  an  old  musician,  who  was  in  the  habit  of  play- 
ing the  violin  at  a]l  the  weddings  in  the  neighbourhood,  was  suspected,  in 
consequence  of  some  remarks  which  escaped  his  children.  Being  brought 
before  a  magistrate,  he  acknowledged  thirty-four  murders,  and  declared 
that  he  committed  them  without  animosity,  or  wish  to  rob,  but  simply  because 
he  felt  therein  an  extraordinary  degree  of  pleasure."  The  whole  of  these 
persons  were,  unquestionably,  monomaniacs. 

40  A  man  is  met  on  the  highway  by  a  robber,  who  presents  a  pistol  to  his 
breast,  and  demands  his  money.  If  the  man  is  greatly  endowed  with  Firm- 
ness, but  deficient  in  Combativeness,  he  will  sternly  refuse  to  surrender  his 
purse,  but  do  nothing  more.  If  he  possesses,  along  with  Firmness,  a  great 
deal  of  Combativeness,  he  will  be  inclined  to  rush  forward,  and  wrench 
the  weapon  from  the  hand  of  his  assailant.  Here  the  function  of  Com- 
bativeness will  cease  ;  but  supposing  the  individual  to  be  largely  endowed 
with  Destructiveness  also,  he  will  endeavour  to  knock  the  aggressor  down, 
to  punish  him  with  severity,  and  perhaps  kill  him  on  the  spot.  In  most  per- 
sons, Destructiveness  is  large  enough  to  give  rise  to  such  manifestations  in 
the  circumstances  supposed. 


64:  ALIMENTIVENESS. 


f     ALIMENTIVENESS. 

What  is  meant  by  this  term  ? 

Alimentiveness  is  the  name  applied  to  one  of  the  organs, 
not  yet  regarded  as  fully  ascertained  :  it  is  supposed  to  be 
connected  with  the  desire  for  food.  In  the  bust,  it  bears  no 
number,  but  is  marked  f  ;  it  lies  in  front  of,  and  a  little  above, 
the  opening  of  the  ear.  Farther  observations  are  necessary, 
to  determine  finally  whether  the  function  assigned  to  this 
part  of  the  brain  be  correct ;  but  many  facts  render  this 
highly  probable. 

How  does  it  display  itself  when  very  large? 

It  is  supposed  to  do  so  in  an  inordinate  fondness  for  indulg- 
ing in  the  pleasures  of  the  table.  If  this  belief  is  correct, 
gluttons  and  epicures  ought  to  be  well  endowed  with  the 
organ,  and  probably  drunkards  also.  Indeed,  Dr.  Caldwell 
of  Lexington,  in  his  ingenious  "  Thoughts  on  Intemper- 
ance,"41 conceives  the  habit  of  drunkenness  to  depend  upon 
a  highly  excited  state  of  this  organ,  and  proposes  to  cure  it  by 
means  of  local  applications,  tending  to  diminish  high  action 
in  the  brain.  It  is  certain  that,  by  nature,  some  people  are 
much  more  addicted  to  eating  and  drinking  than  others,  and 
it  can  hardly  be  doubted,  that  these  propensities  depend 
upon  a  special  organ.  The  abuses  of  the  faculty  are 
gluttony  and  drunkenness.42 

41  Published  in  the  Transylvania  Journal  of  Medicine,  July,  &e.  1832. 
See  also  the  Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  viii.  p.  624 

42  In  the  Journal  of  the  Phrenological  Society  of  Paris,  the  case  of  a 
woman  called  Denise,  detailed  in  the  "  Annales  de  la  Medecine  Physiolo- 
gique,"  (October,  1832)  is  taken  notice  of,  as  furnishing  a  curious  example 
of  insatiable  appetite  for  food.  In  infancy,  she  exhausted  the  milk  of  all 
her  nurses,  and  ate  four  times  more  than  other  children  of  the  same  age. 
At  school,  she  devoured  the  bread  of  all  the  scholars;  and  in  the  Salpe- 
triere  it  was  found  impossible  to  satisfy  her  habitual  appetite  with  less 
than  eight  or  ten  pounds  of  bread  daily.    Nevertheless,  she  there  experi- 


LOVE  OF  LIFE.  65 

LOVE  OF  LIFE. 

Does  the  love  of  existence  depend  upon  a  particular  organ? 

It  is  so  conjectured  by  phrenologists,  who  conceive  that  a 
portion  of  the  lower  and  inner  side  of  the  middle  lobe  of 
the  brain  is  probably  the  seat  of  this  feeling.  Facts,  however, 
are  more  deficient  here,  than  even  with  regard  to  the  organ 
of  Alimentiveness.  There  is  much  reason  to  suppose  that 
Love  of  Life  depends  upon  a  special  organ,  for  we  do  not 
always  find  that  those  whose  lot  has  been  most  fortunately 
cast,  as  respects  riches,  health,  and  other  things  considered 
worth  living  for,  set  the  highest  value  upon  existence.  The 
wretched  and  half-starved  mendicant  often  dreads  the  ter- 
mination of  life  more  than  the  happy  and  the  prosperous, 
and  this  altogether  without  any  reference  to  a  future  state 
and  its  punishments.  Dr.  Johnson  had  an  extreme  terror  of 
death:  if  this  feeling  has  a  special  organ,  it  must  have  been 
large  in  him.  Dr.  Thomas  Brown  treats  of  "  the  desire  of 
continued  existence  "  as  a  special  faculty. 


enced,  two  or  three  times  a  month,  great  attacks  of  hunger,  during  which 
she  devoured  twenty-four  pounds  of  bread  daily.  If,  during  these  fits,  any 
obstacle  was  opposed  to  the  gratification  of  her  imperious  desire,  she 
became  so  furious  that  she  used  to  bite  her  clothes,  and  even  hands,  and  did 
not  recover  her  reason  till  hunger  was  completely  satisfied.  Being  one 
day  in  the  kitchen  of  a  rich  family,  where  a  dinner  party  was  expected,  she 
devoured,  in  a  very  few  minutes,  the  soup  intended  for  twenty  guests,  along 
with  twelve  pounds  of  bread.  On  another  occasion,  she  drank  all  the  coffee 
prepared  for  seventy-five  of  her  companions  in  the  Salpetriere  !  Her  skull 
is  small ;  the  region  of  the  propensities  predominates. 

In  the  head  of  the  semi-idiot,  Barclay,  executed  for  murder,  the  organ  of 
Alimentiveness  was  very  large,  and  the  excessive  craving  for  food  corres- 
ponded. He  clamoured  for  it  shortly  before  being  brought  upon  the  scaffold, 
and  on  the  morning  of  his  execution  ate  a  breakfast  which  would  have 
sufficed  for  three  healthy  men. 

For  an  account  of  all  that  is  at  present  known  concerning  this  organ,  see 
an  excellent  article,  by  Mr.  Robert  Cox,  in  the  Phrenological  Journal, 
vol.  x.  p.  249. 


66 


SECRETIVENESS. 


7.  SECRETIVENESS. 

Describe  the  seat  and  tendency  of  this  organ, 
Secretiveness  is  situated  immediately  above  Destructive- 
ness,  as  may  be  seen  by  referring  to  the  bust.  When  the 
latter  organ  is  very  large,  and  comes  high  up,  it  may  be 
mistaken  for  Secretiveness  by  the  inexperienced  observer. 
In  like  manner,  Secretiveness  and  Acquisitiveness  are  some- 
times confounded  with  Ideality:  this  happened  in  the  case 
of  Hare  the  murderer,  in  whose  head  the  enemies  of  Phreno- 
logy ignorantly  affirmed  that  Ideality  was  large,  when  the 
fact  was  exactly  the  reverse.  These  mistakes  arise  from 
the  organs  in  question  encroaching  more  than  is  usual  upon 
the  neighbouring  ones  ;  but  an  experienced  investigator  will 
never  fall  into  them.  Secretiveness,  when  large,  gives  a 
general  breadth  of  head  at  the  back  part  of  the  temple. 
Its  tendency  is  to  conceal.  The  following  cut  represents 
the  organ  large. 


What  is  the  character  of  a  very  sec?  etive  person  f 
He  is  reserved,  and  neither  open  nor  explicit;  is    fond 
of  stratagem  and  finesse,    and  delights  in  mystifying  and 


SECRETIVENESS.  67 

deceiving.  His  pace  is  stealthy,  his  voice  soft,  his  eyes 
sidelong,  his  eyelids  half-closed,  and  he  can  hardly  look  an 
acquaintance  in  the  face.  A  person  with  much  Secretive- 
ness  is  very  fond  of  prying  into  the  affairs  of  others,  unless 
his  mind  be  of  a  superior  cast. 

From  what  does  cunning  result  f 

From  the  excessive  size  and  activity  of  this  organ.  Secre- 
tiveness,  however,  if  well  regulated  by  the  moral  sentiments, 
does  not  display  itself  in  cunning,  which  is  an  abuse  of  the 
faculty. 

Has  it  any  thing  to  do  in  producing  taciturnity  ? 

It  has.  Taciturnity  arises  from  Secretiveness  and  Cautious- 
ness, accompanied,  generally,  with  a  small  development  of 
Language,  and,  in  many  cases,  of  Love  of  Approbation. 

What  good  purpose  is  served  by  Secretiveness? 

It  communicates  a  power,  often  highly  valuable,  of  hiding 
the  manifestation  of  unpleasant  feelings,  which,  without  such 
restraint,  would  be  sure  to  burst  forth.  It  also  gives  us  an 
insight  into  the  feelings  of  others,  and  suspicion  of  their 
motives  ;  hence  secretive  people  are  not  easily  imposed  upon, 
and  possess  singular  facility  in  detecting  imposture,  and 
seeing  through  plausibility  and  pretension.  Secretiveness 
is  of  eminent  use  in  war  and  diplomacy.  Hannibal  in  the 
field,  and  Talleyrand  and  Fouche  in  the  cabinet,  sufficiently 
prove  the  truth  of  this  remark.  Secretiveness  is  the  chief 
ingredient  in  what  is  called  tact. 

75  Secretiveness  requisite  for  an  actor? 

No  person  can  be  a  good  performer  without  it.  The 
actor  must  sink  his  own  character  in  representing  another ; 
and  this  is  chiefly  effected  by  virtue  of  Secretiveness.  Where 
Imitation  exists,  as  it  always  does  in  good  actors,  the  process 
is  still  more  complete. 

Is  it  an  element  in  humour  P 

It  enters  very  fully  into  what  is  called  dry  humour,  such 


68  SECRETIVENESS. 

as  that  of  Dean  Swift  and  Cervantes,  where  the  writer  under 
the  disguise  of  the  most  perfect  simplicity  and  gravity,  con- 
vulses us  with  laughter.  Broad  humour,  such  as  that  of 
Smollett  and  Rabelais,  requires  less  of  it,  and  into  Irish 
humour  it  very  sparingly  enters. 

In  which  sex  is  the  feeling  stronger? 

In  the  female  ;  and  the  size  of  the  organ  corresponds.  A 
woman  is  obliged  to  conceal  her  feelings  on  a  variety  of 
occasions,  wrhere  a  man  is  placed  under  no  such  restraints. 
This  is  especially  the  case  in  reference  to  love  matters.  Let  her 
attachment  be  ever  so  great,  she  dare  not  avow  it  till  the  man 
has  made  the  fullest  advances :  she  dare  not  even  exhibit 
any  sign  of  her  feeling  with  regard  to  him,  till  he  has  given 
her  ample  reason  to  suppose  that  she  is  the  object  of  his  affec- 
tion. In  this,  and  various  other  displays  of  concealed  emo- 
tion which  the  delicacy  of  the  sex  demands,  we  see  the 
power  of  an  active  Secretiveness.43 

What  is  the  character  of  a  person  deficient  in  this  faculty  f 

He  is  remarkable  for  candour  and  openness,  speaks  his 
mind  freely,  and  is  under  little  restraint.  People  of  this  kind 
ought  never  to  be  entrusted  with  a  secret,  as  they  feel  a 
continual  effort  necessary  to  prevent  them  from  divulging  it. 

Is  the  faculty  active  in  any  of  the  lower  animals? 

In  many  of  them  it  is  so,  and  their  craft  is  generally,  though 
not  always,  in  proportion  to  the  weakness  or  helplessness  of 
the  animal.  The  cunning  of  the  fox  and  the  cat  is  prover- 
bial. Most  birds  are  astute— witness  the  admirable  manner 
in  which  the  nests  of  many  of  them  are  hid  from  observation. 
The  crocodile  and  turtle  seem  to  show  Secretiveness  in  the 


43  The  hacknied  but  beautiful  lines  of  Shakspeare  are  familiar  to  every 
one— 

"  She  never  told  her  love, 
But  let  concealment,  like  a  worm  i'  the  bud, 
Feed  on  her  damask  cheek," 


ACQUISITIVENESS.  69 

skilful  manner  in  which  they  hide  their  eggs  in  the  sand, 
unless,  indeed,  we  can  suppose,  that  in  so  doing,  they  are 
guided  by  a  particular  blind  instinct.  Craft  enables  some 
animals  to  secure  their  prey,  and  others  to  avoid  danger. 


8.    ACQUISITIVENESS. 

State  the  position  and  nature  of  this  organ. 
It  is  situated  at  the  anterior,  inferior  angle  of  the  parietal 
bone,  and  the  feeling  connected  with  it  gives  the  tendency 
to  acquire  and  accumulate.  When  very  powerful,  there  is 
an  inordinate  lust  after  riches.  The  person  becomes  a 
miser  i  the  whole  aim  of  his  life  is  to  hoard  ;  and  the  loss  of 
money  he  regards  as  the  greatest  of  misfortunes.  So  strong 
is  this  feeling,  that  many  persons,  though  wallowing  in 
wealth,  scarcely  allow  themselves  the  common  necessaries 
of  life.  Such  was  the  case  with  Elwes,  who  lived  in  great 
want  and  misery,  although  immensely  rich — his  fortune,  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  amounting  to  £700,000.  Daniel 
Dancer,  the  miser,  who  left  £60,000,  slept  for  many  years 
in  an  old  sack,  to  save  the  expense  of  bedding,  and  never, 
even  in  the  severest  weather,  allowed  himself  the  luxury  of 
a  fire.  He  sustained  life  by  begging,  and  literally  died  of 
starvation.  The  Duke  of  Marlborough,  though  worth 
£50,000  a  year  might  be  seen  darning  his  stockings  at  the 
head  of  the  army,  and  would  walk  home  from  the  theatre  on 
a  rainy  night  to  save  sixpence. 

What  character  results  from  large  Acquisitiveness  and 
deficient  Conscientiousness  f 

The  person  will  be  thievishly  inclined.     If  placed  in  un- 
favourable circumstances,  it  is  hardly  possible  for  him,  with 
such  an  organization,  to  be  otherwise  than  a  thief. 
If  favourably  situated,  would  he  act  the  thief? 
Possibly  not.     His  pride,  love  of  approbation,  or  terror  of 


70  ACQUISITIVENESS. 

discovery,  might  prevent  him  from  stealing,  but  still  at  heart 
he  would  be  a  thief,  and  covet  every  thing  he  saw. 

May  a  miser  be  a  benevolent  man  ? 

He  may  ;  but  he  will  show  his  benevolence  in  some  other 
way  than  in  giving  money.  Although  he  may  exert  himself 
vehemently,  and  spare  no  trouble  to  oblige  a  friend,  it 
will  be  difficult  or  impossible  to  make  him  open  his  purse. 
It  must  be  admitted,  however,  that  the  tendency  of  excessive 
Acquisitiveness  is  to  "harden  the  heart,  and  petrify  the 
feelings."  Gold  is  the  miser's  divinity  :  he  worships  it  as  an 
idol,  and  extends  his  veneration  to  all  who  have  a  large  share 
of  it ;  hence  wealthy  people,  however  despicable  their  cha- 
racter, are  apt  to  be  held  in  profound  respect  by  the  ac- 
quisitive. 

Are  very  acquisitive  people  usually  happy  f 

They  are  not.  Having,  in  general,  but  one  source  of 
felicity,  that  of  hoarding  money,  they  are  fretful  and  discon- 
tented, when  their  efforts  at  accumulation  fall  short  of  what 
they  calculated  upon :  the  loss  of  wealth  annoys  them  ex- 
ceedingly, and  while  they  venerate,  they,  at  the  same  time, 
envy  those  who  are  richer  than  themselves. 

What  is  the  result  of  small  Acquisitiveness? 

Indifference  about  making,  and  profusion  in  spending 
money.  People  of  this  description  seldom  talk  about 
wealth;  while  with  the  acquisitive  this  is  the  favourite  theme 
of  conversation. 

Does  Acquisitiveness  lead  to  the  accumulation  of  money 
alone  ? 

No ;  it  may  show  itself  in  accumulation  of  any  kind. 
Some  people  are  fond  of  hoarding  books,  medals,  coins, 
curious  shells,  &c. :  if  a  person  has  a  liking  for  these  things, 
and  possesses  large  Acquisitiveness,  he  will  naturally  collect 
them,  especially  if  this  can  be  done  at  little  expense. 

Does  this  faculty  display  itself  in  early  life? 


ACQUISITIVENESS.  71 

When  strong,  it  is  manifested  at  a  very  early  period. 
There  are  vast  differences  among  children  in  this  respect : 
one  gives  half  of  what  he  has  to  his  playmate,  another  keeps 
all  to  himself :  one  school-boy  will  keep  a  halfpenny  in  his 
pocket  a  week  before  he  has  the  heart  to  spend  it;  another 
gets  quit  of  his  little  treasure  almost  as  soon  as  it  is  in  his 
possession.44 

Does  old  age  whet  or  diminish  the  activity  of  this  organ  ? 

It  aggravates  it  to  a  great  degree.  A  careful  boy  will 
make  a  miserly  man.  Avarice  is  commonly  said  to  be  the 
only  passion  which  age  does  not  blunt,  but  there  is  reason 
to  doubt  whether  the  vehemence  of  Destructiveness  is 
mitigated  by  years.  Old  people  frequently  become  exceed- 
ingly irascible  and  peevish,  owing  probably  to  the  organ 
being  stimulated  by  the  discomforts  and  want  of  enjoyment 
so  generally  accompanying  advanced  life.  Acquisitiveness 
and  Destructivenes,  therefore,  may  be  held  as  increased,  and 
not,  like  the  other  organs,  diminished  in  activity  by  old  age.45 

Would  you  not  infer  that  age  blunts  Acquisitiveness,  seeing 
that  theft  is  most  common  in  early  years  f 

Children  steal  more  readily  than  grown  people,  because 
their  caution  and  reflection    are   less.      Adults    see   more 


44  The  great  Prince  of  Conde  having-  occasion  to  go  from  home  for  some 
time,  gave  to  his  son,  a  young  lad,  eighty  Isuis  d'or  for  pocket  money.  On 
his  return,  the  careful  youth  showed  him  the  money,  exclaiming  "  see, 
father,  there  is  all  the  money  you  gave  me,  and  I  have  not  spent  a  single 
sous  of  it."  The  Prince  was  so  disgusted  with  the  penurious  spirit  of  the 
lad,  that  he  took  the  money  and  threw  it  into  the  street,  telling  the  young- 
miser  that  if  he  had  not  the  manliness  to  spend  it  upon  himself,  he  ought 
to  have  given  it  away. 

45  Why  age  should  sharpen  Acquisitiveness,  while  it  blunts  other 
faculties,  it  is  difficult  even  to  conjecture,  but  the  fact  is  undeniable.  A 
good  story  is  told  of  an  old  Scotch  nobleman,  one  of  the  Earls  of  Findlater, 
I  believe,  who,  having  found  a  farthing,  and  being  solicited  for  the  same  by 
a  beggar  who  saw  him  pick  it  up,  put  it  carefully  into  his  pocket,  saying, 
"  Na,  na,  puir  body;  find  a  farthing  for  yoursel." 


ri  ACQUISITIVENESS. 

clearly  the  consequences  to  which  a  discovery  of  theft  would 
lead  ;  and  a  man  has  naturally  more  respect  for  his  reputation 
than  a  child.  The  desire  of  a  man  to  possess  any  thing  may 
be  as  strong  as  a  child's ;  but  to  obtain  it  he  will  not  readily 
adopt  means  which  may  involve  him  in  disgrace.  Indepen- 
dently of  this,  the  moral  feelings  are  actually  weaker  in 
childhood  than  at  the  subsequent  periods  of  life. 

May  a  thief  possess  benevolence  ? 

Undoubtedly.  He  may  rob  you  to-day  and  relieve  you 
to-morrow  with  a  liberal  hand,  if  you  are  in  distress.  This 
fact  may  be  easily  verified  by  referring  to  the  lives  of  famous 
pickpockets  and  highwaymen.  George  Harrington  is  a  re- 
markable case  in  point.  The  celebrated  outlaws,  Robin 
Hood  and  Rob  Roy,  were  instances  in  which  a  great  deal  of 
benevolent  feeling  co-existed  with  large  Acquisitiveness  and 
deficient   Conscientiousness.40    The  generous  behaviour  of 


46  The  passion  for  thieving,  is  in  some  individuals  so  intensely 
and  irresistibly  strong,  as  absolutely  to  amount  to  a  disease.  In  such 
cases,  it  bears  a  very  striking  analogy  to  homicidal  monomania.  Victor 
Amadeus,  King  of  Sardinia,  had  a  strong  passion  for  theft,  and  frequently 
indulged  in  the  vice.  The  same  was  the  case  with  Saurin,  an  intelligent 
and  pious  Swiss  clergyman  j  and  we  frequently  hear  of  ladies  of  rank  and 
fortune  stealing  from  the  shops  of  haberdashers,  while  purchasing  goods. 
The  following  remarkable  case  of  thieving  monomania,  I  extract  from  the 
London  papers.  Confirmed  thieves  seem  all  to  labour  under  this  affec- 
tion :— 

Central  Criminal  Court.— Henry  Smith,  a  smart  lad,  aged  thirteen,  was 
convicted  of  stealing  a  diamond,  the  property  of  his  father.  The  boy  had 
been  twice  convicted,  and  kept  solitary  and  whipped,  but  on  his  liberation 
he  returned  to  his  old  habit  of  pilfering. 

The  little  fellow,  with  tears,  prayed  the  Court  to  send  him  to  the  convict 
ship  to  break  him  of  thieving. 

Court Why  do  you  thieve  ? 

Prisoner.— I  cannot  help  it;  I  must  do  it. 

The  schoolmaster  of  Newgate  was  consulted  as  to  the  boy's  intellect,  and 
he  was  reported  to  be  shrewd,  of  sound  intellect,  but  so  addicted  to  theft, 
that  only  last  night  he  robbed  a  fellow-prisoner  of  a  shilling.  The  Court 
complied  with  the  prisoner's  request. 


ACQUISITIVENESS.  73 

the  robber  to  Queen  Margaret,  after  her  defeat  at  Hexham, 
is  matter  of  history ;  and  many  other  instances  of  such  men 
displaying  great  humanity  might  easily  be  recorded.  In  the 
prison  of  Copenhagen,  for  instance,  Dr.  Gall  saw  Pierre 
Michel,  a  crafty  and  incorrigible  thief,  who  stole  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  giving  away  to  the  poor. 

Is  Acquisitiveness  ever  morbidly  excited '? 

Such  is  sometimes  the  case.  Irritation  of  the  organ 
from  an  injury  may  force  it  into  diseased  activity,  and  thus 
make  a  thief  of  a  person  previously  honest.  Conscientious 
people,  who  become  deranged,  sometimes  display  a  strong 
passion  for  stealing,  on  the  same  principle  that  individuals 
remarkable  for  chastity  and  purity  of  mind  frequently  in- 
dulge, during  an  attack  of  madness,  in  the  most  lascivious 
conversation.  Dr.  Gall  mentions  the  cases  of  four  women 
who,  while  pregnant,  were  strongly  addicted  to  theft,  and 
who  yet  exhibited  no  such  inclination  at  other  times.  In 
such  instances,  the  change  of  character  which  ensues  can  only 
be  referred  to  diseased  activity  of  the  organ. 

To  what  does  the  legitimate  exercise  of  Acquisitiveness 
lead  f 

To  a  rational  accumulation  of  wealth  for  proper  pur- 
poses, as  for  the  sake  of  securing  comfort  and  independence 
to  one's  self  and  family.  Carried  much  beyond  this  point, 
it  is  a  contemptible  vice,  degrading  to  a  human  being. 

Does  the  size  of  the  organ  differ  in  different  nations  ? 

Very  much.  It  is  said  to  be  small  in  the  Arragonese,  and 
Castilians  ;  and  these  people  are  not  at  all  giveu  to  stealing. 
The  Calmucs,  who  are  notorious  thieves,  have  a  large  de- 
velopment of  the  organ.  It  is  generally  lar^e  in  Scotch, 
English,  and  Dutch  heads  ;  hence  the  vast  fortunes  acquired, 
and  the  high  respect  paid  to  wealth  in  Great  Britain  and 
Holland.  It  is  small  in  the  French  head ;  a  Frenchman  is 
satisfied   with   a  moderate  competency,   and  whin  that  is 

D 


74  CONSTltUCTIVENESS. 

secured  he  generally  retires  from  business  to  pass  his  life  in 
pleasure  ;  while  the  Briton  and  the  Dutchman  toil  on  till  the 
last,  in  the  accumulation  of  property.  In  France  little  re- 
spect is  paid  to  a  person  merely  on  account  of  his  wealth  ; 
while  in  some  other  countries,  the  mere  whisper  that  a  man 
is  rich  is  sufficient  to  ensure  him  every  homage  and  attention. 

Is  Acquisitiveness  manifested  by  the  lower  animals  ? 

Some  of  them  exhibit  its  activity  in  great  perfection. 
The  magpie  is  a  notorious  thief,  and  carries  its  propensity  so 
far  as  to  steal  what  can  be  of  no  use  to  it.  Cats  are  gene- 
rally looked  upon  as  thieves,  and  so  are  dogs  ;  but  I  appre- 
hend that  it  is  not,  as  in  the  magpie,  from  an  abstract  prin- 
ciple of  appropriation  that  they  steal,  but  merely  to  gratify 
hunger.  The  industrious  bee,  in  hoarding  honey  for  its  winter 
stores,  shows  the  force  of  Acquisitiveness.  The  same  re- 
mark applies  to  the  beaver,  which  accumulates  wood  for  the 
formation  of  its  dwelling.  The  cow  and  the  horse  have  the 
sense  of  property.  Each  goes  to  its  own  stall,  and  defends 
it  against  intrusion. 

9.  CONSTEUCTIVENESS. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ  f 
It  is  marked  9  in  the  bust,  and.  lies  in  the  temple,  below 
and  in  front  of  Acquisitiveness.  Its  function  may  be 
described  as  the  tendency  to  fashion  or  construct,  and  expert- 
ness  in  doing  so.  It  is  large  in  those  who  have  a  con- 
structive or  mechanical  genius,  such  as  Archimedes/jTelford, 
Watt,  Vauban,  Michael  Angelo,  and  Raphael.  Dextrous 
artizans,  and  painters  and  sculptors  who  are  eminent  in  the 
mechanical  department  of  their  avocations,  must  have  the 
organ  large  ;  and  accordingly  we  find  that  in  them  it  is 
invariably  above  average.  It  is  impossible  to  be  even  an 
expert  tailor,  carpenter,  or  milliner,  without  a  good  endow- 


CONSTRUCTIVENESS.  75 

meut  of  the  organ.  It  alone,  however,  will  not  enable  us 
to  contrive  an  ingenious  piece  of  machinery.  Mechanical 
contrivers  are  not  impelled  by  Constructiveness,  but  by 
intellect.  The  former,  however,  is  absolutely  necessary 
to  embody,  or  realize,  in  a  machine  what  the  intellect  suggests. 

What  follows  when  the  organ  is  small  f 

The  person  is  what  we  call  clumsy-handed,  and  can  do 
nothing  with  neatness  and  dexterity.  Some  men  are  so  very 
remarkable  in  this  respect  that  they  cannot  even  make  a  pen, 
ot  shave  themselves. 

How  does  the  faculty  exhibit  itself  in  the  lower  animals'? 

In  various  ways,  and  in  some  with  exquisite  nicety, 
witness  the  beautiful  architecture  of  the  honeycomb  by  that 
ingenious  little  artist  the  bee — the  wonderful  skill  with  which 
the  beaver  constructs  its  dwelling — and  the  art  displayed  by 
birds  in  the  formation  of  their  nests. 

Is  the  force  of  this  faculty  in  the  lower  animals  in  the  ratio 
of  their  general  intellect? 

No  more  than  in  man.  The  most  sagacious  animals, 
such  as  the  dog  and  elephant,  never  attempt  a  work  of  art, 
while  creatures  far  inferior  in  general  sagacity  excel  in  such 
achievements.  This  is  a  decided  proof  that  a  special  organ 
exists  for  the  purpose  of  construction. 

Do  nations  differ  greatly  with  regard  to  the  force  of  this 
organ ? 

Very  much  indeed.  The  head  of  the  New  Hollander  is 
narrow  in  the  region  of  Constructiveness,  and  his  deficiency 
in  this  respect  is  notorious.  The  organ  is  largely  developed 
in  the  Italian  and  French  head,  and  more  moderately  in  the 
English. 

Can  Constructiveness  be  abused? 

Yes.  The  formation  of  engines  for  destroying  human  life, 
and  the  erection  of  such  structures  as  the  Sphinx,  the  Cretan 
Labyrinth,  the  Ear  of  Dionysius,  and  the  Egyptian  Pyramids, 


76  CONSTRUCTIVENESS. 

may  all  be  regarded  as  abuses  of  the  faculty.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  many  of  fehose  trifling  evanescent  works  of  fancy, 
in  which  so  much  precious  time  is  wasted  by  females  in  the 
middle  and  higher  grades  of  society.  Coining  and  fabri- 
cating forged  notes  are  criminal  abuses  of  the  faculty.50 

May  a  person  void  of  constructive  talent  acquire  it  by 
diseased  excitement  of  this  organ? 

Facts  prove  that  this  is  possible.  In  such  cases,  however, 
the  adventitious  talent  thus  curiously  acquired,  will  endure 
only  so  long  as  the  excitement  continues. 

In  what  respect  does  the  constructive  talent  of  man  differ 
from  that  of  the  lower  animals? 

The  talent  of  the  lower  animals  is  specific  and  limited, 
The  bee  can  construct  only  a  honeycomb,  the  bird  a  nest, 
the  beaver  a  dwelling  of  a  particular  form.  No  tuition  can 
alter  the  dispositions  of  these  creatures  so  as  to  make  them 
build  after  any  other  fashion ;  whereas,  the  constructive 
talent  of  man  is  general  in  its  operation  ;  he  works  by  a 
thousand  different  ways,  and  forms  an  infinity  of  distinct 
objects. 


50  There  is  a  man  in  London  who  exhibits  what  he  calls  the  learned  fleas. 
He  has  contrived  to  employ  those  insects  in  a  variety  of  occupations,  such 
as  drawing-  carriages  and  ships,  carrying  towers,  and  other  pursuits  equally 
momentous  and  important.  Wonderful  skill  is  displayed  in  the  construction 
of  the  vehicles,  &c.  and  in  the  admirable  art  with  which  the  insects  are 
attached  to  them — skill,  which  applied  to  proper  purposes,  might  lead  to 
great  results,  and  do  the  artist  honour.  Such  a  childish  application  of  great 
constructive  talents,  is  surely  an  abuse  of  the  faculty  in  question. 


SELF-ESTEEM. 


77 


GENUS  II SENTIMENTS. 

What  meaning  is  attached  to  the  word  Sentiment? 

The  term  is  applied  to  those  affective  faculties  which, 
besides  giving  rise  to  inclinations,  feel  an  emotion  or  affec- 
tion which  is  not  merely  a  propensity. 


SPECIES.  I INFERIOR  SENTIMENTS. 

10.    SELF-ESTEEM. 

How  would  you  recognize  a  large  Self-Esteem  f 
By  the  elevation  which  it  gives  to  that  part  of  the  head 
immediately  above  Concentrativeness,  and  between  it  and 
the  organ  of  Firmness.  Both  the  organ  and  the  physiog- 
nomical expression  of  the  faculty  are  well  represented  in  the 
subjoined  engraving  of  a  proud  character. 


How  was  the  organ  discovered? 

In  the  following  manner : — Dr.  Gall  one  day  met  with  a 
weak-minded  beggar,  who  had  such  an  inordinate  opinion  of 


78  SELF-ESTEEM. 

his  own  consequence,  that  he  refused  to  work,  considering 
labour  to  be  entirely  beneath  his  dignity.  This  man  was 
the  son  of  a  rich  merchant,  and  had  been  reduced  to  beggary 
by  over-weening  self-conceit  preventing  him  from  labouring 
for  his  bread.  On  examination,  Dr.  Gall  observed  a  large 
prominence  on  the  upper  and  back  part  of  his  head,  which 
he  supposed  might  be  the  seat  of  pride.  Subsequent  obser- 
vations have  fully  verified  his  conjecture. 

To  what  does  excessive  Self-Esteem  lead? 

To  arrogance,  to  an  immense  opinion  of  one's  self,51  and, 
when  accompanied  by  deficient  Benevolence,  to  great 
selfishnesss. 

What  are  the  results  of  a  small  development  f 

Modesty  and  humility  of  demeanour.  The  person  thinks 
little  of  himself,  however  admirable  his  merits,  andis  perfectly 
free  from  presumption.  Such  persons  are  great  favourites 
with  those  who  have  much  Self-Esteem.  There  is  no  collision 
of  feeling  between  them — the  humble  mind  unconsciously 
giving  way  to  the  proud  one,  and  thus  affording  it  gratification  * 

Is  a  great  endowment  of  this  faculty  useful  or  the  reverse? 

Useful,  rather  than  otherwise,  if  accompanied  with  good 
moral  sentiments.  It  gives  self-respect,  a  spirit  of  indepen- 
dence, and  that  proper  pride  which  disdains  every  thing 
that  is  mean  and  dishonourable.  Even  bad  men  who  have 
much  Self-Esteem,  are  often  prevented  from  acting  improperly 
through  the  fear  of  compromising  their  dignity.     A  good 

51  It  is  the  great  Self-Esteem  of  the  English  which  renders  them  so  insuffer- 
able on  the  Continent— which  leads  them  to  decry  all  other  nations,  and  to 
look  upon  themselves  as  in  every  respect  the  first  people  in  the  world.  The 
songs  which  are  addressed  to  the  Self-Esteem  of  the  nation,  are  universally 
popular:  witness  "Rule  Britannia,"  and  "Ye  Mariners  of  England." 
That  famous  toast  "The  British  Constitution — the  pride  of  surrounding 
nations  and  the  envy  of  the  universe,"  is  a  preposterous  ebullition  of  immo- 
derate Self-Esteem.  The  Scotch  Highlanders  have  a  vast  opinion  of  them- 
selves, and  I  apprehend  that  the  organ  of  Self-Esteem,  is,  generally  speaking, 
decidedly  larger  in  them  than  in  their  Lowland  brethren. 


SELF-ESTEEM.  79 

endowment,  by  inspiring  us  with  confidence  in  the  sound- 
ness of  our  own  opinions,  is  necessary  to  enable  us  to  make 
head  against  popular  errors  and  prejudices.  Luther,  in 
opposing  the  errors  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  was  much  in- 
debted to  this  faculty.  Had  Dr.  Gall  been  feebly  gifted 
with  it,  and  possessed,  at  the  same  time,  predominating 
Love  of  Approbation,  he  never  could  have  borne  up  against 
the  torrent  of  ridicule  and  persecution  which  assailed  him 
on  account  of  his  great  discovery. 

Is  it  possible  to  surmise  the  existence  of  large  Self-Esteem 
without  examining  the  head? 

Yes.  Those  so  endowed  have  generally  an  upright  gait, 
carry  their  heads  high,  and  have  altogether  an  air  of  conse- 
quence about  them.  They  are  apt  to  speak  in  a  pompous 
measured  style,  as  if  every  word  they  uttered  was  highly 
oracular.  They  are  great  egotists,  indulging  largely  in  the 
use  of  the  pronoun  l,52  and  talking  constantly  of  their  own 
affairs.  The  pomposity  of  Self-Esteem  is  indeed  highly 
imposing.  Shallow  men,  by  dint  of  it,  often  pass  for  being 
very  profound ;  while  others  with  ten  times  the  talent  but 
destitute  of  assumption,  are  frequently  thought  little  of. 

In  which  sex  does  the  organ  most  predominate? 

In  the  male.     Men  generally  assume  more  than  women, 

52  Take  the  following,  from  a  work  recently  published,  as  a  specimen;— 
"  Reader,  when  /  was  a  child,  it  w*as  not  Gall,  but  some  other  galling  phren- 
ologist, who,  seizing  one  of  the  protuberances  of  my  reverend  head,  thank 
heaven  it  was  not  my  nose,  deliberately  told  my  aunt  Josephine,  that  the 
said  bump  contained  the  organ  of  matrimony.  Now  my  aunt,  not  being 
deep  in  the  science,  as  deliberately  replied  that  she  did  not  believe  in  any 
organ  but  the  organ  of  music ;  whereat  the  good  man,  no  way  discouraged, 
immediately  commenced  feeling  for  the  said  organ.  Indeed,  sir,  cried  /, 
somewhat  impatiently ;  indeed,  sir,  /have  got  no  more  bumps,  and  /should 
not  have  had  that,  only  /  fell  down  yesterday  and  knocked  my  head  against 
the  table.  My  aunt,  Josephine,  laughing  aloud,  the  phrenologist  was  dis- 
concerted, and  /,  glad  of  the  opportunity,  escaped  from  the  room."—  Four 
Years1  Residence  in  the  West  Indies,  by  F.  W.  N.  Bayley. 


80  SELF-ESIEEM. 

and  their  opinion  of  themselves  is  much  greater.  More  men 
go  deranged  than  women,  from  wounded  pride. 

What  effect  is  produced  by  diseased  excitement  of  this 
organ ? 

Its  activity  is  enormously  increased,  and  the  person  is  apt 
to  imagine  himself  a  monarch,  or  even  the  Deity.  In  every 
madhouse  lunatics  of  this  description  may  be  met  with. 

Mention  a  few  of  the  forms  in  which  Self-Esteem  displays 
itself? 

In  a  fondness  for  being  placed  in  dignified  situations,  as 
on  the  magisterial  bench,  and  an  extreme  sensibility  to 
neglect  or  insult.  "  Better  to  reign  in  hell  than  serve  in 
heaven,"  is  the  language  of  the  faculty.  Weak-minded 
people  with  much  Self-Esteem,  value  themselves  highly  on 
account  of  their  great  connexions  and  acquaintances,  if  they 
happen  to  have  any.  Dr.  Gall  speaks  of  conceited  indivi- 
duals, who  will  not  cut  their  nails  lest  it  should  appear  that 
they  are  obliged  to  work.  Many  persons  will  not  put 
their  names  upon  their  doors.  This  is  the  result  of  Self- 
Esteem.  They  imagine  themselves  to  be  people  of  such 
consequence  that  all  the  world  should  know  where  they 
reside.  Those  with  a  very  strong  endowment  of  this  faculty, 
are  fond  of  taking  the  lead  on  all  occasions,  and  are  apt  to 
be  disobedient  to  superiors.  Leaders  of  mutinies  have 
the  organ  well  marked.  Great  Self-Esteem,  especially  if 
combined  with  deficient  Conscientiousness  and  a  mean 
intellect,  induces  people  to  speak  uncharitably  and  harshly 
of  those  whose  religious  sentiments  differ  from  their  own. 
They  look  upon  their  own  particular  creed  as  the  only  one 
which  can  possibly  be  true;  and,  if  Destructivenessis  largely 
developed,  do  not  scruple  to  consign  all  other  sects  to  eternal 
punishment  in  the  life  to  come.  Persons  of  this  stamp  will 
frequently  not  associate  with  those  who  think  differently  in 
religious  matters  from  themselves.     "  Get  behind  me,  sinner; 


SELF-ESTEEM.  81 

thou  art  less  righteous  than  I."  Such  is  the  motto  of  these 
modern  Pharisees. 

Does  Self-Esteem  produce  vanity  f 

No.  The  proud  man  despises  the  opinions  of  others ; 
the  vain  man  lives,  as  it  were,  upon  them.  "  The  man  is 
too  proud  to  be  vain,"  was  a  remark  of  Dean  Swift,  and  is 
founded  on  a  correct  view  of  human  nature.53 

Why  are  many  of  those  who  figure  as  great  patriots  and 
defenders  of  popular  rights  thorough  tyrants  at  heart? 

This  seems  to  arise  from  those  pseudo-patriots  possessing 
a  great  endowment  of  Self-Esteem,  with  deficient  Benevo- 
lence and  Conscientiousness.  The  first  makes  them  impa- 
tient of  seeing  others  placed  in  higher  stations  than  themselves, 
and  the  deficiency  of  the  two  last  renders  them  unscrupulous 
in  their  usage  of  others.  To  pull  down  those  who  sit  in 
high  places,  they  make  tools  of  the  populace,  whom  probably 
they  dislike  a  great  deal  more  than  do  those  whose  overthrow 
they  are  meditating.  Knaves  of  this  description  frequently 
get  into  Parliament,  and  other  public  situations,  by  impudent 
pretensions  to  superior  patriotism.54, 

53  u  The  prond  man  is  penetrated  with  a  sense  of  his  superior  merit,  and 
from  the  height  of  his  grandeur,  treats  with  contempt  or  indifference  all 
other  mortals;  the  vain  man  attaches  the  utmost  importance  to  the  judg- 
ment of  others,  and  ardently  seeks  for  their  approbation.  The  proud  mau 
expects  that  the  world  should  come  and  discover  his  merit;  the  vain  man 
strikes  at  every  door  to  draw  attention  towards  him,  and  supplicates  even 
the  smallest  portion  of  honour.  The  proud  man  despises  the  marks  of  dis- 
tinction which  constitute  the  happiness  of  the  vain  one.  The  proud  man  is 
disgusted  by  indiscreet  eulogiums;  the  vain  mau  inhales  incense  with 
rapture,  however  unskilfully  scattered  upon  him;  the  proud  man,  even 
under  the  most  imperious  necessity,  never  descends  from  his  elevation ; 
the  vain  man  humbles  himself  even  to  the  ground,  provided  by  this  means  he 
attain  his  end." — Gall,  Sur  Les  Fonctions  du  Cerveau,  tome  iv.  p.  296. 
This  discriminative  sketch  is  worthy  of  Theophrastus. 

54  "  Ces  hommes  renverseroient  tous  les  trones  pour  s'eriger  euxmemes 
en  despotes.  Ainsi  1' organization  confirme  ce  que  Phistoire  de  tous  les 
temps  nous  a  enseigne  sur  le  but  des  revolutions :  otez-vous  de  la  que  je  m'y 
mette."—Gall. 

D  2 


82  LOVE  OF  APPROBATION. 

Do  any  of  the  inferior  animals  possess  the  faculty  of 
Self-Esteem? 

The  turkey,  the  peacock,  and  the  horse  are  conceived  to 
do  so.  Napoleon's  favourite  steed  seems  to  have  had  the 
feeling  strong :  when  ridden  by  any  other  than  his  Imperial 
Master,  he  appeared  depressed,  and  to  feel  as  if  degraded ; 
but  so  soon  as  the  Emperor  mounted  him,  he  raised  his  head 
erect,  looking  inflated  with  pride,  as  if  conscious  that  he  had 
the  honour  of  carrying  one  who  was  greater  than  all  others. 
The  animal's  sagacity  was  here  equal  to  his  pride,  as  he 
must  have  caught  the  idea  of  his  master's  rank  by  remarking 
the  respectful  manner  in  which  he  was  universally  treated. 
The  dislike  which  one  dog  has  to  see  another  caressed, 
arises  from  wounded  Self-Esteem. 

11.    LOVE  OF  APPROBATION. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  on  each  side  of  the  organ  of  Self-Esteem.  The 
objects  sought  for  by  the  faculty  are,  esteem  and  admiration, 
and  it  is  gratified  by  praise.  It  also  prompts  us  to  set  an 
excessive  value  upon  the  opinions  of  the  particular  circle  in 
which  we  move,  however  absurd  or  pernicious  those  may  be. 
When  very  strong,  there  is  a  constant  and  fidgetty  desire 
to  please  and  be  admired  by  every  body,  a  morbid  appetite 
for  praise,  and  a  longing  to  know  what  the  world  thinks  of 
us.  The  person  so  endowed  dresses  well,  or  employs  other 
means  to  excite  admiration.  His  leading  aim  is  to  procure 
applause;  he  lives  upon  incense,  and  is  wretched  if  he  does 
not  obtain  it.  In  short,  as  pride  is  the  abuse  of  Self-Esteem, 
so  is  vanity  that  of  Love  of  Approbation.  Combined,  they 
produce  ambition.  This  organ  is  very  large  in  the  busts  of 
Themistocles,  who  from  his  earliest  years  displayed  an 
unquenchable  love  of  glory,  and  often  declared  that  the 


LOVE  OF  APPROBATION.  83 

victories  of  Miltiades  would  not  allow  him  to  sleep.55  The 
feeling  seems  to  have  been  very  strong  in  Alexander  the 
Great,  Napoleon,  and  Charles  XII.  of  Sweden. 

Have  not  women  more  vanity  than  men  ? 

Such  is  generally  the  case,  although  some  men  have  the 
passion  in  great  excess.  Women  are  easily  flattered,  and 
soon  become  partial  to  those  who  bestow  upon  them  this 
species  of  adulation.  Women  frequently  go  deranged  from 
diseased  Love  of  Approbation,  which  is  seldom  the  case  with 
the  other  sex. 

What  is  the  demeanour  of  a  person  with  a  great  endow- 
ment of  this  faculty? 

It  is  conciliating,  courteous,  and  polite,  very  different  from 
the  hard  austerity  and  pomp  of  Self-Esteem.  Beaux, 
masters  of  ceremonies,  teachers  of  dancing,  bowing  silk 
mercers,  &c,  afford  good  illustrations  of  the  natural  language 
of  the  faculty. 

Does  the  feeling  display  itself  in  any  other  way  f 

Yes  :  when  combined  with  deficient  Conscientiousness,  it 
disposes  the  person  to  "  shoot  with  the  long  bow,"  and  to  be 
addicted  to  boasting.  If  he  is  naturally  a  coward,  his  Love 
of  Approbation  will  dispose  him  to  talk  largely  of  valiant 
feats  performed  by  himself — all  for  the  purpose  of  disguising 


55  Themistocles  was  not  a  strictly  conscientious  man,  as  is  proved  by  his 
treatment  of  Aristides,  and  his  proposal  to  destroy  the  ships  of  the  other 
Greek  powers  for  the  purpose  of  giving  his  native  country  the  supremacy, 
at  a  time  when  these  powers  were  at  peace  with  it,  and  had  no  reason  to 
fear  such  an  outrage.  When,  however,  the  King  of  Persia  came  to  claim 
his  promise  that  he  would  lead  the  barbarian  forces  against  Greece,  his 
Love  of  Approbation  seems  to  have  taken  alarm,  and  rather  than  do  a  deed 
which  must  have  blasted  his  reputation  for  ever  among  his  countrymen,  he 
chose,  although  the  Athenians  had  used  him  most  shamefully,  and  well 
deserved  punishment,  to  die  by  his  own  hands.  It  is  not  probable  that 
Conscientiousness  had  much  influence  in  stopping  him,  and  far  less  fear. 
The  feeling  by  which  he  was  arrested  in  his  career  of  vengeance  was,  in  all 
probability,  Love  of  Approbation. 


84  LOVE  OF  APPROBATION. 

his  conscious  pusillanimity.  Men,  for  the  most  part,  wish 
to  make  it  appear  that  they  possess  those  good  qualities  in 
which  they  are  deficient ;  hence  the  coward,  like  the  ass 
in  the  lion's  skin,  tries  to  assume  the  guise  of  valour. 
By  ivhom  is  Love  of  Approbation  most  displayed? 
By  those  whose  success  in  their  profession  depends  upon 
public  applause,  such  as  actors,  painters,  &c. :  it  is  in  the 
gratification  of  this  feeling,  indeed,  that  the  chief  reward  of 
their  exertions  often  consists.  People  who  are  fond  of  ap- 
pearing much  before  the  public,  either  in  the  shape  of  orators, 
lecturers,  chairmen  of  meetings,  movers  of  addresses,  or  any 
other  in  which  they  will  be  spoken  of,  and  their  sayings  and 
doings  blazoned  in  the  newspapers,  have  generally  a  large 
organ  of  Love  of  Approbation.56 

Does  vanity  manifest  itself  the  same  way  with  every 
one? 

No.  The  way  in  which  it  manifests  itself  depends  upon 
the  other  faculties.  A  vain  man  with  a  good  endowment 
of  Tune,  and  a  small  organ  of  Number,  will  be  vain  of  his 
musical  genius  and  comparatively  indifferent  to  praise  on 
account  of  his  powers  of  calculation.  Swindlers,  pickpockets, 
robbers,  and  even  murderers  often  boast  of  their  feats.  If  a 
man  excels  in  any  thing,  and  possesses  much  Love  of 
Approbation,  he  will  be  apt  to  boast  of  his  eminence  in  that 
particular  walk  ;  hence  we  have  men  who  are  vain  of  their 
powers  of  eating  and  drinking.  The  vain  man  always 
wishes  to  be  esteemed  eminent  in  his  profession,  whether  it 

56  "  I  love  vanity  "  observes,  Dr.  Gall  "because  it  gives  rise  to  a  thousand 
artificial  wants,  augments  the  comforts  of  life,  embellishes  our  habitations, 
and  employs  and  gives  support  to  the  industrious.  It  is  to  it,  in  a  great 
degree,  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  flourishing  state  of  the  arts  and  sciences. 
Collections  of  sculpture,  of  paintings,  of  natural  history,  of  books— our 
gardens,  our  monuments,  our  palaces,  would  be  either  paltry  or  altogether 
awanting,  without  the  inspiration  of  vanity,  the  love  of  distinction." 


LOVE  OE  APPROBATION.  85 

be  that  of  poet,  statesman,  physician,  divine,  pickpocket, 
glutton,  drunkard,  or  bravo.57 

Do  the  lower  animals  display  this  faculty  ? 
Some  do.     Dogs  are  exceedingly  fond  of  caresses  and 
approbation.     I  remember  of  a  favourite  terrier  bringing  a 
rat  which  he  had  killed  to  my  bed-room  door,  and  scraping 
for  admittance,  evidently  that  I  might  see  the  good  service 
he  had  done.     The  animal  had  been  trained  to  rat-killing, 
and  evidently  knew  that  in  slaying  one  of  these  creatures  he 
had  done  an  action  which  would  be  applauded.     The  violent 
efforts  of  the  race-horse  in  the  struggle  for  victory  evidently 
proceed  from  Love  of  Approbation.     The  faculty  is  active 
in  the  monkey,  which  is  fond  of  gaudy  dresses. 
What  follows  when  the  organ  is  very  small  ? 
A  marked  indifference  to  praise  and  to  the  opinions  of  the 
world.     It  is  unfortunate  when  a  person  is  so  circumstanced, 
for  the  love  of  being  well  thought  of  is  certainly  one  of  the 
great  incentives  to  the  performance  of  generous  deeds. 
Does  good  ever  result  from  excessive  vanity  ? 
Sometimes  to  the  public— rarely  to  the  individual.     For 
instance,  men,  from  a  love  of  ostentation,  often  put  down 
their  names  as  donors  to  public  charities,  to  which,  otherwise, 
they  would  not  have  contributed  a  farthing.     The  magnifi- 
cent sepulchral  monuments  of  "  Pere  la  Chaise"  are  erected, 
in  a  great  measure,  at  the  instigation  of  vanity  on  the  part 
of  the  families  of  the  deceased.     The  same  feeling  has  much 
to  do  in  the  erection  and  endowment  of  hospitals  to  which 
wealthy  individuals,  such  as  Guy  and  Heriot,  appropriate 
their  fortunes. 

57  "  A  large  organ  of  Love  of  Approbation,  in  a  head  of  great  general 
size,  gives  origin  to  the  ambition  of  a  Bonaparte ;  while  a  large  development 
of  the  organ  in  a  small  head  produces  frivolous  vanity,  like  that  of  the 
Hindoos,  whose  heads,  as  Lady  Irwin  says,  'are  toyshops  filled  with  trifling 
wares.'" — Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  viii.  p.  641. 


86  CAUTIOUSNESS. 

Can  a  person  be  amiable  without  Love  of  Approbation  f 
Not  easily.     This  feeling  enters  strongly  into  the  com- 
position of  an  amiable  character.     It  gives  the  desire  to 
please  and  the  fear  to  offend,  which,  in  every  situation  of 
life  are  so  desirable.38 

12.    CAUTIOUSNESS. 

What  is  the  tendency  of  this  organ? 

To  produce  a  feeling  of  circumspection,  and  when  very 
active,  fear.  Those  in  whom  it  predominates  are  never  rash  ; 
they  are  what  is  called  "prudent  characters,"  who  seldom 
get  into  scrapes,  and  scrupulously  weigh  the  consequences 
of  every  word  and  action. 

Does  great  Cautiousness  necessarily  lead  to  cowardice  f 

Not  unless  it  greatly  predominates  over  Combativeness. 
Some  of  the  greatest  heroes  were  distinguished  for  circum- 
spection :  such  was  the  case  with  Hannibal,  Fabius,  and 
many  others.  The  skull  of  Bruce  shows  a  large  organ  of 
Cautiousness,  and  this  feeling  was  a  marked  one  in  his 
character. 

58  The  activity  of  this  feeling-  is  at  present  a  great  bar  to  the  progress  of 
Phrenology,  but,  by  and  by,  it  will  assist  in  disseminating  the  science. 
People  with  much  Love  of  Approbation  are  exceedingly  shy  of  doing  any 
thing  which  the  public  mind  deems  unfashionable  j  they  go  with  the  majority, 
no  matter  whether  that  be  right  or  wrong.  At  present  the  number  of  per- 
sons who  understand,  and  believe  in  Phrenology  is  less  than  of  those  who 
are  ignorant  of,  and  do  not  believe  in  it.  This  difference  is  gradually  diminish- 
ing j  and  as  soon  as  a  nearer  approximation  is  made  between  the  strength  of 
the  two  parties ;  as  soon  as  it  appears  perfectly  manifest  that  the  doctrines 
are  every  where  gaining  ground,  and  becoming  fashionable  and  popular, 
then  will  the  ranks  of  those  who  avow  faith  in  them  be  increased  by  hosts  of 
such  individuals  rushing  breathlessly  in  to  tender  their  adherence  at  the 
eleventh  hour.  The  opinions  of  these  fair  weather  converts,  not  being 
based  upon  that  rational  conviction  resulting  from  knowledge,  are  of  little 
consequence  as  testifying  to  the  truth  of  the  science ;  but  as  regards  the 
general  interests  of  Phrenology,  they  are  valuable,  in  so  far  as  so  many 
obstacles  to  its  diffusion  are  removed,  and  greater  opportunities  afforded  of 
practically  applying  its  principles  than  exist  at  the  present  moment. 


CAUTIOUSNESS. 


87 


Is  a  large  organ  of  Cautiousness  easily  discriminated? 

More  so,  perhaps,  than  any  other.  It  gives  a  rounded 
and  bulging  fulness  to  the  middle  of  the  parietal  bones,  under 
which  it  is  situated. 


Large  Cautiousness. 


Small  Cautiousness. 


The  first  of  the  above  engravings  represents  the  skull  of 
a  timorous,  faint-hearted  female  :  the  second  that  of  General 
Wurmser,  a  man  remarkable  for  the  recklessness  of  his 
courage. 

Is  this  organ  well  established? 

It  is  one  of  the  best  authenticated  of  the  whole  series. 
Those  in  whom  it  is  large,  have  uniformly  the  feeling  of 
circumspection  strongly  stamped  upon  their  character. 

What  is  the  consequence  of  a  small  development? 

Rashness.  The  person  is  extremely  imprudent ;  he  speaks 
and  acts  without  thinking  ;  and,  if  engaged  in  business,  it  is 
ten  to  one  that  he  ruins  himself. 

What  most  powerfully  excites  the  organ  ? 

Sudden  and  imminent  danger.  Soldiers  in  battle  are 
sometimes  panic-struck,  and  take  to  flight  from  the  violent 
excitement  of  Cautiousness.  Before  a  battle,  it  is  more 
likely  to  be  active  than  wrhen  the  other  faculties  are  fairly 
called  into  play  by  the  heat  of  the  contest. 

What  good  purpose  is  served  by  this  faculty  ? 


88  CAUTIOUSNESS. 

It  keeps  people  out  of  mischief,  and  renders  them  prudent. 
A  community  in  which  the  feeling  did  not  exist,  would  soon 
go  to  destruction. 

Is  the  organ  ever  diseased? 

It  sometimes  is ;  and  the  person  becomes  straightway  the 
victim  of  the  most  miserable  apprehensions.  I  have 
remarked  that  this  organ  is  uniformly  large  in  those  afflicted 
with  hypochondria,  which,  indeed,  is  a  morbid  affection  of 
the  organ.59 

Is  the  organ  larger  in  the  female  than  in  the  male? 

It  is  so,  not  only  in  the  human  species,  but  also  in  the 
inferior  animals. 

Is  the  feeling  very  strong  in  any  of  the  lower  animals? 

In  some,  exceedingly  so:  the  sheep  and  mouse,  for 
example,  are  remarkably  timid.  Animals  which  prowl  by 
night,  such  as  the  owl  and  the  cat,  show  the  manifestations 
of  active  Cautiousness.  Some  of  the  monkey  tribe,  when 
they  go  on  a  plundering  expedition,  place  sentries  to  warn 
them  of  danger.  The  chamois,  the  wild  goose,  the  crane, 
the  starling,  and  the  buzzard  are  remarkable  for  circum- 
spection, and  act  like  the  monkies  in  appointing  sentinels. 
In  all  these  animals  that  portion  of  the  head,  corresponding 
to  the  seat  of  the  organ  of  Cautiousness  in  the  human  sub- 
ject, is  much  developed. 

Does  the  size  of  the  organ  vary  much  in  aifferent 
nations  ? 

It  varies  considerably.  In  the  French  head  it  is  rather 
small,  which  partly  accounts  for  the  recklessness  of  the 
national  character,  and  the  state  of  disturbance  in  which  that 


59  By  many  authors  hypochondria  is  regarded  as  a  disease  of  the  digestive 
viscera  j  but  that  its  real  seat  is  the  organ  of  Cautiousness,  has  been  amply 
demonstrated  by  Dr.  Andrew  Combe,  in  the  Phrenological  Journal,  vol. 
iii.  p.  51. 


BENEVOLENCE.  89 

singular  people  keep  not  only  themselves,  but  all  Europe. 
In  the  English,  Scotch,  and  German  head,  the  organ  is  large, 
and  smaller  in  the  Irish.  Scotch  prudence  and  Irish 
thoughtlessness  have  long  been  proverbial.  It  is  very  large 
in  the  Hindoo  and  Peruvian  head,  and  accounts  for  the 
great  timidity  of  character  displayed  by  these  nations,  its 
influence  not  being  modified  by  the  counteracting  influence 
of  Combativeness.60 


SPECIES  II.-SUPERIOR  SENTIMENTS. 


13.    BENEVOLENCE. 

Where  does  this  organ  lie? 

Immediately  before  the  fontanel  (or  opening  of  the  head, 
as  it  is  vulgarly  called),61  in  the  upper  and  middle  part  of  the 
frontal  bone ;  and  it  extends  downward  to  the  top  of  the 
forehead.  It  is  known  by  the  elevation  which,  when  large, 
it  gives  to  the  middle  of  the  anterior  region  of  the  top  of 
the  head.® 


60  It  is  observed  that  when  this  organ  is  large,  there  is  also  very  generally 
an  ample  development  of  Cautiousness;  and  between  the  functions  of  the 
two  organs  a  considerable  affinity  undoubtedly  exists. 

61  The  fontanel  is  at  the  meeting  of  the  coronal  and  sagittal  sutures.  In 
the  young  child  it  is  cartilaginous.  From  the  time  of  birth  it  begins  to 
contract,  and  is  generally  completely  ossified  and  closed  between  the  second 
and  third  year. 

62  In  paintings  of  the  head  of  Christ,  the  organs  of  Benevolence  and 
Veneration  are  represented  as  greatly  developed,  while  the  posterior  region 
where  the  propensities  reside,  is  made  exceedingly  small.  Is  thi3  generally 
received  likeness  of  Jesus  purely  ideal  ?  If  so,  it  shows  that  the  form  of 
head  which  painters  have  considered  appropriate  to  an  eminently  amiable 
and  virtuous  character,  is  precisely  the  same  as  that  assigned  to  such  charac- 


90  BENEVOLENCE. 

Was  a  high  forehead,  before  the  time  of  Gall,  supposed 
to  indicate  benevolence  of  disposition  ? 

There  is  reason  to  believe  so.  Shakspeare  speaks  of 
"  foreheads  villanous  low;"  and  the  ancients,  in  designing 
their  deities  generally  invested  them  with  broad  and  lofty 
foreheads,  thus  indicating  commanding  intellect,  and  dis- 
tinguished benevolence.  The  subject,  however,  was  not 
philosophically  thought  of  till  Gall  took  it  up,  and  demon- 
strated that  the  sentiment  depends  upon  a  special  organ  of 
the  brain. 

What  effect  on  the  character  is  produced  by  a  large 
organ f 

The  individual  is  distinguished  by  the  kindness  and  mercy 
of  his  disposition.  He  is  generous  in  his  sentiments,  averse 
to  give  pain  and  uneasiness,  charitable,  and  inclined  to 
think  well  of  every  body,  and  do  good  to  all  his  fellow- 
creatures.  Some  of  the  ancient  philosophers,  such  as 
Plato  and  Socrates,  are  splendid  instances  of  the  beauty  and 
power  of  this  noble  sentiment.  The  story  of  the  good 
Samaritan  is  a  fine  specimen  of  benevolent  feeling.  One  of 
the  grandest  instances  on  record  occurs  in  the  history  of 
Sir  Philip  Sidney,  who,  when  mortally  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Zutphen,  and  suffering  under  the  tortures  of 
excessive  thirst,  presented  the  water,  which  he  was  in  the 


ters  by  phrenologists.  Dr.  Gall,  however,  is  of  opinion,  that  the  above 
representation  is  not  imaginary,  but  conveys  a  genuine  likeness  of  the  great 
original.  "  It  is  at  least  probable,"  says  he,  "  that  the  general  type  of  the 
form  of  Christ's  head  has  been  handed  down  to  us.  Saint  Luke  was  a 
painter,  and  in  that  capacity,  is  it  not  likely  that  he  would  wish  to  preserve 
the  features  of  his  Master  ?  It  is  certain  that  this  likeness  of  the  Saviour's 
head  is  of  high  antiquity :  we  find  it  in  the  most  ancient  mosaics  and  paint- 
ings. In  the  second  century,  the  Gnostics  possessed  images  both  of  Christ 
and  Saint  Paul.  Hence  neither  Raphael,  nor  any  painter  of  more  ancient 
date,  invented  the  admirable  configuration  of  head  which  has  been  assigned 
to  Jesus." 


BENEVOLENCE.  91 

act  of  raising  to  his  mouth,  to  a  dying  soldier  whom  he  saw 
eagerly  eyeing  it — saying  "take  that;  your  want  is  even 
greater  than  mine."63  In  Christ's  sermon  on  the  Mount  we 
have  a  sublime  emanation  of  blended  Benevolence  and  Con- 
scientiousness. Indeed,  throughout  the  whole  of  the  New 
Testament  the  supremacy  of  the  moral  sentiments  shines  forth 
with  a  lustre  not  to  be  equalled  in  any  other  code  of  religion 
or  morality. 

What  happens  when  the  organ  is  very  small? 

The  person  is  careless  of  the  welfare  of  others,  disoblig- 
ing and  selfish.  Unless  he  has  some  end  to  serve,  it  will  be 
impossible  for  him  to  do  a  kindly  action.  Such  a  man  can 
never  be  a  true  and  disinterested  friend.  Moloch,  as  repre- 
sented in  w  Paradise  Lost,"  is  an  instance  of  a  total  destitu- 
tion of  this  faculty ;  and  nearly  the  same  may  be  said  of 
Ahab  and  Jezebel  in  the  book  of  Kings,  of  Shakspeare's  Iago, 
Moore's  Zeluco,  and  also  of  Varney,  in  the  romance  of 
u  Kennil worth."  The  organ,  according  to  Dr.  Gall,  was 
very  deficient  in  the  head  of  Robespierre.  Some  of  the 
Roman  Emperors,  as  Domitian,  Commodus,  Caligula, 
Heliogabolus,  and  Nero,  seem  to  have  been  as  nearly  void 
of  the  sentiment  as  we  can  suppose  creatures  not  absolutely 
denizens  of  Pandemonium,  to  be.     The  busts  of  these  men 


63  "  Man,"  observes  Gall,  "  is  generally  more  good,  kind-hearted,  and 
just,  than  he  is  wicked  and  unjust.  People  of  simple  manners— the  com- 
fortable  peasant,  the  industrious  artizan,  for  example,  are  very  benevolent 
towards  their  equals.  We  rarely  see  among  them  an  orphan  who  fails  to 
meet  with  the  assistance  which  his  situation  demands.  They  often  treat 
them  as  they  would  their  own  children,  and  not  unfrequently  with  even 
greater  kindness.  Seldom  do  the  poor,  who  knock  at  their  doors,  re- 
turn empty-handed :  their  direct  impulse  is  always  one  of  kindness  towards 
the  unfortunate."  Gall  himself  had  a  large  organ  of  Benevolence,  and,  in 
harmony  with  this  development,  was  inclined  to  view  human  nature  with  a 
generous  eye.  Those  in  whom  the  organ  is  small  have,  from  their  own 
consciousness,  a  tendency  to  think  meanly  of  their  fellow-creatures,  and  to 
form  a  low  estimate  of  human  virtue. 


92 


BENEVOLENCE. 


represent  a  poor  development  of  Benevolence  with  a  predo- 
minating basilar  region.  Take  as  an  example  ihe  sub- 
joined representation  of  Nero's  head. 


May  Benevolence  co-exist  with  great  roughness  of  manner? 

Nothing  is  more  common  ;  but  the  general  tendency  of 
the  feeling  is  to  communicate  sweetness  to  the  disposition, 
and  to  soften  the  manners.  Some  people  are  absolutely 
ashamed  of  the  Benevolence  they  possess,  and  try  to  hide 
it  under  a  rough  exterior :  "  rough  diamonds  "  of  this  descrip- 
tion are  occasionally  to  be  met  with.  Dr.  Johnson  was  an 
instance  of  distinguished  Benevolence  combined  with  coarse- 
ness of  manners — the  fortiter  in  modo  with  the  suaviter  in  re. 

What  are  the  abuses  of  Benevolence  ? 

The  tendency  to  yield  to  every  kind  of  solicitation  is  one; 
whence  the  individual  becomes  the  prey  of  mendicants  and 


BENEVOLENCE. 


93 


impostors :  he  impoverishes  himself  to  do  good  to  others, 
and  has  his  brain  constantly  filled  with  Utopian  schemes  of 
philanthropy.64 

Have  the  lower  animals  this  organ  ? 

They  have,  to  some  extent.  In  them  it  shows  itself 
chiefly  by  tractability  and  gentleness.  A  good  tempered 
dog  or  horse  can  be  known  by  the  shape  of  the  head.     The 


13  Benevolence  large. 
5  Combativeness  small. 


13  Benevolence  small 
5  Combativeness  large. 


celebrated  race  horse  "  Flying  Childers,"  had  a  very  low 
and  flat  forehead,  and  his  temper  was  extremely  vicious. 
In  the  spaniel  and  Newfoundland  dog,  both  distinguished 
for  goodness  of  temper,  the  organ  is  much  larger  than 
in  the  bull-dog,  whose  dispositions  are  naturally  morose 
and  savage.  The  roebuck,  which  is  a  mild-tempered  animal, 
has  a  prominence,  and  the  chamois,  which  is  the  reverse,  a 
depression  over  the  region  of  Benevolence. 


64  I  know  several  individuals  in  this  situation,  and  in  the  whole  of  them 
there  is  great  height  of  forehead— in  other  words,  a  large  development  of 
the  organ  of  Benevolence.  The  fanciful  impracticabilities  of  Mr.  Owen 
seem  to  result  from  the  immoderate  action  of  this  organ,  combined  with  that 
of  Hope  in  excess. 


94  VENERATION. 


14.  VENERATION. 

What  is  the  nature  of  the  faculty  connected  with  this 
organ f 

It  may  be  described  as  that  feeling  which  produces  vener- 
ation in  general,  or  respect  for  those  whom  we  consider 
worthy  of  reverence.  When  directed  to  the  Supreme 
Being,  it  gives  the  tendency  to  religious  adoration.  Some 
persons  object  to  there  being  an  organ  in  the  brain  which 
gives  the  tendency  to  religious  feeling,  on  the  ground  that 
such  an  idea  is  hostile  to  the  doctrine  of  a  revelation;  but 
this,  as  Spurzheim  remarks,  is  an  unfounded  objection — 
religion  of  one  kind  or  another  having  existed  long  before 
the  dates  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  in  which  the 
Christian  revelation  is  handed  down  to  us.  The  emotion 
communicated  by  this  organ  is,  in  itself,  blind,  and  gives  no 
insight  into  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  a  religion.  The 
soundness  or  unsoundness  of  any  creed  is  tested  by  another 
set  of  faculties,  viz.  the  Intellectual,  and  cannot  be  taken 
cognizance  of  by  a  mere  sentiment  which  simply  feels,  and 
is  incapable  of  reasoning.  In  reference  to  the  present  faculty, 
Mr.  Combe  finely  observes  that  "  as  Nature  has  implanted  the 
organs  of  Veneration  and  Wonder  in  the  brain,  and  the 
corresponding  sentiments  in  the  mind,  it  is  a  groundless 
terror  to  apprehend  that  religion  can  ever  be  extinguished,  or 
even  endangered,  by  the  arguments  or  ridicule  of  the  pro- 
fane. Forms  of  worship  may  change,  and  particular  religi- 
ous tenets  may  now  be  fashionable  and  subsequently  fall 
into  decay;  but  while  the  human  heart  continues  to  beat, 
awe  and  veneration  for  the  Divine  Being  will  ever  animate 
the  soul :  the  worshipper  will  cease  to  kneel,  and  the  hymn 
of  adoration  to  rise,  only  when  the  race  of  man  becomes 
extinct." 


VENERATION.  95 

Where  is  the  organ  situated  ? 

Immediately  behind  that  of  Benevolence,  and  directly 
over  the  fontanel.  It  occupies  the  middle  of  the  top  of  the 
head.  The  annexed  engraving  of  the  head  of  St.  Bruno 
displays  a  great  development  of  the  organ.  Benevolence  is 
also  very  large.  Such  a  configuration  of  brain  is  highly 
favourable  to  religion  and  virtue.  Men  so  constituted  are  a 
law  unto  themselves.  They  revere  their  Maker,  and  have 
an  instinctive  tendency  to  love  and  treat  with  tenderness 
the  whole  human  race. 


This  organ  was  large  in  the  head  of  Voltaire:  why  then 
was  he  an  infidel  ? 

Because  he  was  not  convinced  of  the  divine  origin  of 
Christianity.  No  man  can  venerate  what  he  does  not  con- 
ceive to  be  true.  Voltaire,  however,  venerated  the  Deity, 
of  whose  existence  he  entertained  no  doubt.66     The  respect 

66  See  "  Observations  on  some  Objections  to  Phrenology,  founded  on  a 
part  of  the  Cerebral  Development  of  Voltaire,"  by  Mr.  Simpson.— Phreno- 
logicalJouimal,  vol.  iii.  p.  564. 


96  VENERATION. 

which  this  writer  showed  for  princes,  and  the  gratification 
he  experienced  in  associating  with  them  arose  undoubtedly 
from  his  large  Veneration. 

May  a  person  believe  in  a  particular  leligion,  and  yet 
have  little  Veneration? 

Undoubtedly.  Belief  may  be  a  matter  of  pure  reason, 
though,  in  general,  the  judgment  is  swayed  by  the  feelings. 
The  merely  intellectual  believer,  however,  will  never  be  a 
very  ardent  disciple  of  that  religion  in  which  his  faith  is  placed. 
He  may  believe  in  a  Great  First  Cause  without  inclining  to 
adore. 

Under  what  other  forms  does  the  faculty  display  itself? 

In  a  respect  for  rank,  for  existing  institutions,  for  anti- 
quity, and  for  the  ruling  powers.  It  is  the  grand  natural 
maintainer  of  subordination  of  the  lower  ranks  to  the  higher, 
and  of  the  submission  of  children  to  parents  and  teachers. 
A  person  wTith  this  sentiment  strong,  is  overawed  in  coming 
into  the  presence  of  those  whose  rank  or  other  valued  dis- 
tinction, is  greatly  superior  to  his  own.67  Such  persons,  if 
their  intellect  is  not  of  that  respectable  order  which  disposes 
them  to  appreciate  intellectual  characers,  will  be  more  flat- 
tered by  the  acquaintanceship  of  a  silly  lord  than  by  that  of 
such  a  man  as  Locke  or  Newton. 


(57  "  The  faculty  may  be  manifested  in  reverence  for  Jupiter,  or  the  Lama 
of  Thibet,  or  graven  images,  or  the  God  of  the  universe ;  for  crocodiles, 
cats,  or  the  Great  Mogul,  or  Catholic  priests,  or  Presbyterian  ministers,  or 
rusty  coins,  or  a  titled  aristocracy,  or  the  ornaments  and  furniture  of  a 
church.  To  those  who  have  it  disproportionately  strong,  the  word  '  old  '  is 
synonymous  with  '  venerable ;'  and  in  their  view,  no  institution  or  doctrine, 
how-ever  hurtful  and  absurd,  is,  if  sanctioned  by  antiquity,  to  be  at  all 
meddled  with.  They  obstinately  adhere  to  the  religious  tenets  instilled 
into  them  in  childhood,  and  will  not  listen  to  arguments  tending  to  support 
doetrines  of  a  different  kind.  When,  on  the  other  hand,  the  organ  of  Vener- 
ation is  moderate,  and  the  intellect  is  acute  and  enlightened,  the  individual, 
unwarped  by  prejudice  and  feeling,  regards  only  the  intrinsic  merits  of  the 
doctrines  and  institutions  which  prevail  around  him,  and  shapes  his  opinions 
accordingly." — Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  viii.  p.  598. 


VENERATION.  97 

Whence  arises  the  love  for  collecting  antiques  ? 

From  Veneration  combined  with  Acquisitiveness.  The 
first  disposes  us  to  value  the  object  on  account  of  its  anti- 
quity ;  the  second  makes  us  long  to  possess  it.  People  with 
small  Veneration  have  little  abstract  love  for  any  thing, 
merely  because  it  is  ancient. 

Does  Veneration  display  itself  in  the  same  way  with 
every  one  ? 

No ;  it  is  directed  very  much  by  the  other  faculties.  A 
man  of  high  intellect  and  Veneration  will  venerate  intellec- 
tual characters ;  another,  with  Veneration  and  Combative- 
ness,  great  warriors ;  and  a  third,  with  Veneration  and 
Acquisitiveness,  will  venerate  the  rich.  The  two  former,  on 
beholding  the  cross,  the  hunting  horn,  or  the  bones  of 
Charlemagne,  in  the  church  at  Aix-la-Chapelle,  will  feel 
deep  awe  at  the  sight  of  these  relics  of  so  renowned  a  states- 
man and  hero  ;  the  third,  having  no  sympathy  with  valour 
and  genius,  will  gaze  upon  them  unmoved,  while  he  would 
look  with  sensations  of  great  respect,  and  even  awe,  upon 
such  a  man  as  Mr.  Rothschild.  It  is  to  be  observed, 
however,  that  a  powerful  and  cultivated  understanding  tends 
to  keep  Veneration  within  rational  bounds. 

When  the  organ  is  strongly  excited,  in  what  manner  does 
it  affect  the  character? 

In  producing  keen  religious  or  devotional  feelings,  ter- 
minating sometimes  even  in  madness. 

How  happens  it  that  irreligious  people  sometimes  become, 
all  of  a  sudden,  very  devout?^ 

This  proceeds  from  sudden  excitement  of  the  organs  of 
Veneration  and  Wonder.      The  individual  has,   probably, 

68  It  also  oftentimes  happens  that,  in  cases  of  serious  illness,,  people  be- 
come very  religious,  who,  for  many  years  previous,  exhibited  no  devotional 
feeling.  This,  I  believe,  may  often  be  accounted  for,  on  the  well  known 
principle  of  cerebral  excitement  reviving-  lost  ideas.    The  brain  is  stimu-, 

E 


98  VENERATION. 

been  exposed  to  circumstances  which  call  them  into  activity, 
as  the  declamation  of  some  enthusiastic  preacher,  and  the 
result  is  a  vehement  fit  of  religion,  which  continues  so  long 
as  the  stimulus  operates  on  the  brain. 

A  person  then  may  become  religious  whether  his  organ  of 
Veneration  be  large  or  small,  seeing  that  a  small  organ  may 
be  stimulated  as  well  as  a  large  one? 

It  is  only  the  predominating  organs  that  are  very  likely  to 
be  excited  ;  a  small  organ  is  by  no  means  equally  liable  to 
be  acted  upon  in  this  manner,  and  when  really  stimulated, 
does  not  give  rise  to  the  same  intensity  of  feeling.  If  it 
were  so  acted  upon,  the  person  would  be  religious  com- 
pared to  what  he  formerly  was,  but  still  his  feelings  on  this 
point  would  be  far  inferior  in  energy  to  those  of  another 
person,  with  a  larger  organ  of  Veneration  in  the  same  state 
of  excitement.69 

May  a  person  have  a  great  deal  of  religious  feeling  and 
yet  not  be  virtuous  ? 

Undoubtedly :  witness  the  instances  of  Louis  XI.  of  France, 
Philip  II.  of  Spain,  Catherine  de'  Medici,  and  the  "  Bloody" 
Queen  Mary,  all  of  them  religious  devotees,  and  yet  most 

lated  by  the  disease,  and  the  religious  impressions  instilled  into  us  in  child- 
hood are  brought  back  to  cheer  the  sufferer  on  the  bed  of  sickness,  and 
smooth  his  path  to  the  grave.  Various  instances  of  the  resuscitative  power 
of  excited  brain  are  given  in  this  work. 

69  An  acquaintance  with  Phrenology  must  be  of  great  use  in  preventing 
people  from  running  into  fanaticism,  and  in  allaying  religious  melancholy.  If 
a  man  knows  that  such  violent  states  of  feeling  arise  from  excitement  exist- 
ing in  his  brain,  he  will  set  about  counteracting  them ;  whereas,  when 
he  is  ignorant  of  this  fact,  he  will  be  apt  to  mistake  the  impression  under 
which  he  labours  for  the  effect  of  some  supernatural  cause;  and  the  illu- 
sion, instead  of  being  checked,  will  probably  go  on  increasing,  till  it  termi- 
nates in  madness.  An  eminent  phrenologist  informs  me,  that  he  is  ac- 
quainted with  several  ladies  who  have  actually  been  reclaimed  from  fanati- 
cism by  studying  Phrenology.  I  believe  the  statement,  and  can  easily  imagine 
that  a  knowledge  of  this  science  will  go  far  to  check  the  accession  of  most 
forms  of  lunacy- 


VENERATION.  99 

worthless  characters.  If  the  precepts,  however,  which  a 
religion  inculcates  are,  in  themselves,  of  a  strictly  moral 
character,  the  respect  for  their  authority  inspired  by  this 
sentiment,  will  naturally  tend  to  make  people  more  virtuous. 
The  precepts  of  Christianity  are  of  this  kind,  and  when 
strictly  followed,  can  only  lead  to  sound  morality  :  those  of 
some  other  forms  of  religion  being  depraved,  conduce  to 
vice.  The  Hindoo  who  throws  his  child  beneath  the  wheels 
of  the  car  of  Juggernaut,  acts  as  much  under  the  influence 
of  Veneration,  as  the  enlightened  Christian  who  worships 
the  true  God.  The  difference  consists  in  this,  that  in  the 
one  case  it  is  a  misdirected  impulse,  in  the  other,  it  is  an 
impulse  guided  by  reason. 

In  which  sex  is  the  feeling  of  Veneration  more  energetic  f 
In  the  female.  Women  are  more  susceptible  of  religious 
impressions  than  men,  and  are  generally  the  first  to  be 
caught  by  new  doctrines.  They  have  also  a  greater  ten- 
dency to  respect  rank,  and  are  naturally  aristocratic  in  their 
ideas.  Few  women  are  enamoured  of  republican  principles.70 
Self-Esteem    being   weaker    and    Veneration  stronger    in 


70  Some  years  ago,  religious  monomania  was  exceedingly  common  in  the 
West  of  Scotland,  among  a  class  of  people  who  went  by  the  name  of 
Rowites.  These  fanatics  were  mostly  young  females,  in  the  middle  and 
upper  classes  of  society ;  and  the  extent  to  which  they  carried  their  insane 
ravings  was  most  astounding.  An  enthusiastic  young  woman  was  the 
High  Priestess  of  this  sect:  her  they  supposed  to  be  divinely  commissioned, 
and  even  gifted  with  the  power  of  working  miracles.  At  length  she  left 
the  place,  and  the  excitement  of  her  presence  being  withdrawn,  the  mania 
subsided.  I  agree  with  Dr.  Mackintosh  in  thinking,  that  a  few  weeks'  work 
on  the  tread-mill,  with  scanty  fare,  would  have  cured  of  their  fantasies  the 
over-fed  and  idle  young  ladies  who  indulged  in  this  egregious  folly.  The 
reader  will  find  in  the  ninth  volume  of  the  Phrenological  Journal  a  series 
of  acute  and  instructive  papers  on  this  kind  of  insanity,  entitled  "  Observa- 
tions on  Religious  Fanaticism  :  illustrated  in  a  comparison  of  the  belief  and 
conduct  of  noted  religious  enthusiasts  with  those  of  patients  in  the  Montrose 
Lunatic  Asylum,"  By  W.  A.  Browne,  Esq.,  the  superintendent  of  that 
institution. 


100 


FIRMNESS. 


women  than  in  men,  nature  has  obviously  intended  that  this 
sex  should  be  led  by,  and  obey,  the  other. 

What  were  the  circumstances  which  lighted  up  the  fires  of 
Smithfieldy  and  prompted  the  massacre  of  St,  Bartholomew? 

These  horrible  immolations  of  innocent  persons  at  the 
shrine  of  bigotry,  seem  to  have  resulted  from  a  violent  excite- 
ment of  this  organ,  combined  with  great  Destructiveness 
and  Self-Esteem,  and  a  lamentable  lack  of  Benevolence 
and  knowledge.  A  wreak  or  uninformed  intellect,  acting 
under  the  inspiration  of  excited  religious  feeling,  would  make 
the  perpetrators  imagine  they  were  doing  a  deed  highly 
acceptable  to  the  Deity ;  and  Destructiveness  coming  into 
play,  and  not  being  counteracted  by  Benevolence,  would 
urge  them  on  fiercely  to  the  commission  of  these  diabolical 
atrocities. 

15.   FIRMNESS. 

Where  is  this  organ  situated? 

Behind  that  of  Veneration,  on  the  summit  of  the  head,  to 
which,  when  very  large,  it  gives  a  towering  appearance. 


What  is  the  nature  of  its  faculty? 
The  name  sufficiently  designates  this. 


When  it  is  very 


FIRMNESS.  101 

large,  the  individual  is  distinguished  for  great  perseverance. 
Whatever  he  undertakes,  whether  for  good  or  evil,  he  pur- 
sues steadily  ;  and  the  general  cast  of  his  mind  is  firm  and 
decided.  He  encounters  misfortunes  heroically,  and  endures 
physical  pain  with  unshrinking  stoicism.  He  is  not  to  be 
turned  from  his  purposes,  but  is  rather  apt  to  be  unyielding 
and  obstinate.  There  are  great  differences  in  people  as  to 
their  capability  of  resisting  solicitation.  This,  other  things 
being  equal,  arises  from  the  different  degrees  in  which  they 
are  endowed  with  Firmness.  The  faculty  tends  to  keep  the 
other  powers  of  the  mind  in  a  state  of  continuous  action, 
enabling  those  higly  gifted  with  it  to  pursue  steadily  the 
natural  bent  of  their  talents.  Where  the  development  is 
small,  the  person  is  fickle  and  infirm  of  purpose.  He  may 
possess  excellent  abilities,  but  from  want  of  perseverance 
they  are  not  properly  cultivated  and  brought  out.  Instability 
and  indecision  of  character  are  uniformly  accompanied  with 
a  deficient  size  of  the  organ  :  and  these  qualities  appear  still 
more  prominent  where,  along  with  such  deficiency,  there  is 
a  large  development  of  Cautiousness. 

What  is  obstinacy  ? 

Obstinacy  is  an  abuse  of  Firmness,  and  the  result  of  a 
great  development  of  this  organ,  with  small  or  moderate 
Conscientiousness.  A  strictly  honest  man  can  never  be  long 
or  wilfully  obstinate,  however  great  his  Firmness  :  the  latter 
always  gives  way  before  what  he  conceives  to  be  the  dictates 
of  justice. 

Is  it  possible  to  have  loo  much  Firmness  ? 

When  the  dispositions  are  naturally  virtuous,  and  the 
intellect  good,  this  is  impossible,  as  the  faculty  in  question 
only  leads  them  more  strongly  and  perseveringly  in  their 
natural  current.  When,  however,  there  is  a  predominance 
of  vice  in  the  character,  great  Firmness  may  act  perniciously, 
by  causing  an  obstinate  perseverance  in  evil. 


102  CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

In  what  characters  would  you  expect  to  find  the  organ 
large  ? 

In  those  who  show  unshaken  constancy  and  indomitable 
perseverance.  It  must  have  been  large  in  Luther  and 
Knox.  King  Robert  Bruce's  skull  shows  a  great  deve- 
lopment of  it ;  and  he  evinced  the  feeling  to  a  wonderful 
degree.  It  is  large  in  those  who  manifest  great  determina- 
tion in  crime,  as  Haggart ;  and  also  in  those  whose  steadi- 
ness of  friendship  nothing  can  shake.  The  firmness  of 
Captains  Ross  and  Parry  is  well  known,  and  the  organ  is 
very  ample  in  the  heads  of  those  eminent  navigators.  I  am 
told  that  it  is  remarkably  large  in  General  Jackson,  the  Ame- 
rican President,  a  man  whose  firmness  of  purpose  borders 
on  obstinacy.  The  North  American  Indians  are  remarkable 
for  their  unconquerable  fortitude,  and  the  dogged  indiffer- 
ence with  which  they  submit  to  the  most  horrible  tortures : 
in  them  it  is  greatly  developed.  It  must  have  been  very 
large  in  Marshal  Ney,  who  possessed  astonishing  firmness 
of  character. 

16.    CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

In  what  manner  does  the  faculty  connected  with  this  organ 
display  itself? 

In  inducing  sentiments  of  strict  justice.71  He  in  whom  it 
is  strongly  manifested  is  a  person  of  stern  integrity  :  he  pays 
his  debts,  does  what  he  considers  his  duty,  and  is  incapable 
of  dissimulation  or  falsehood — adhering,  in  its  strictest  sense, 
to  the  noble  maxim  of  doing  unto  others  as  he  would  be  done 
by.     Such  a  man  will  rather  die  of  starvation  than  steal — 


71  "The  laws  of  honour,  as  apprehended  by  some  minds,  are  founded  on 
the  absence  of  Conscientiousness,  with  gTeat  predominance  of  Self-Esteem 
and  Love  of  Approbation.  If  a  gentleman  is  conscious  that  he  has  unjustly 
given  offence  to  another,  it  is  conceived  by  many  that  he  will  degrade  him- 
self by  making  an  apology ;  that  it  is  his  duty  to  fight,  but  not  to  acknow- 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 


103 


rather  go  to  the  block  than  violate  the  dictates  of  his  con- 
science. If  he  commits  a  wrong  he  is  the  first  to  acknow- 
ledge it,  and  feels  uneasy  till  he  makes  ample  reparation.  He 
has,  in  short,  a  vivid  and  peculiar  pleasure  in  acting  honestly. 

Where  is  the  organ  situated? 

At  each  side  of  Firmness. 


Large  Conscientiousness. 

What  follows  when  the  organ  is  small  ? 
Lying,  theft,  hypocrisy,  evil-speaking,  dissimulation,  and 
general  want  of  principle  are  apt  to  be  the  consequences  of 


ledge  himself  in  fault.  This  is  the  feeling  produced  by  powerful  Self- Esteem 
and  Love  of  Approbation,  with  great  deficiency  of  Conscientiousness. 
Self-Esteem  is  mortified  by  an  admission  of  fallibility,  while  Love  of  Appro- 
bation suffers  under  the  feeling  that  the  esteem  of  the  world  will  be  lost 
by  such  an  acknowledgment;  and  if  no  higher  sentiment  be  present  in  a 
sufficient  degree,  the  wretched  victim  will  go  to  the  field  and  die  in  support 
of  conduct  that  is  indefensible .  When  Conscientiousness  i3  strong,  the 
possessor  feels  it  no  degradation  to  acknowledge  himself  in  fault,  when  he 
is  aware  that  he  is  wrong :  in  fact,  he  rises  in  his  own  esteem  by  doing  so, 
and  knows  that  he  acquires  the  respect  of  the  world ;  while,  if  fully  con- 
scious of  being  in  the  right,  there  is  none  more  inflexible  than  he. " — Combe's 
System  of  Phrenology,  Uh  edition,  vol.  i.,  p.  358. 


104  CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

such  an  unfortunate  configuration,  the  propensities  being 
left  in  a  great  measure  unbridled. 


Small  Conscientiousness. 

May  a  deficiency  of  the  sentiment  display  itself  otherwise 
than  in  the  commission  of  what  society  would  deem  crimes? 

Yes.  The  not  keeping  appointments  and  promises,  the 
telling  of  "  white  lies,"  jilting,  coquetry,  quibbling,  profess- 
ional quackery  and  humbug,  writing  impertinent  anonymous 
letters,  puffing  trashy  works,  giving  false  characters  to 
servants,  borrowing  books  and  umbrellas  and  not  return- 
ing them,  taking  possession  of  another  man's  seat  in  the 
theatre  or  coach,  knowing  that  you  have  no  right  to  do 
so,  and  that  it  will  put  him  to  inconvenience,  are  all  breaches 
of  honesty,  and  indicate  a  small  or  moderate  development  of 
the  organ.  Divulging  secrets  with  which  we  are  entrusted, 
is  another  violation  of  the  sentiment,  frequently  committed 
by  people  who  would  be  very  much  astonished  at  being 
told  they  were  not  perfectly  honest. 

Is  a  deficiency  of  Concientiousness  ever  consistent  with  the 
enjoyment  of  a  fair  reputation? 

Nothing  is  more  common.     Many  who  are  not  by  nature 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS.  105 

honest,  act  honestly  in  matters  of  business,  because  it  is  their 
interest  to  do  so  ;  but  such  persons  will  be  found  constantly 
violating  the  minor  branches  of  honesty,  such  as  those  men- 
tioned, when  no  particular  evil  arises  to  themselves  from 
the  violation.  Men  previously  considered  honest,  some- 
times become  bankrupt  under  disgraceful  circumstances, 
involving  their  friends  in  one  common  ruin,  and  recklessly 
sacrificing,  for  the  purpose  of  saving  themselves,  every  human 
being  on  whom  they  can  lay  hold.  This  is  the  result  of 
small  Conscientiousness.  So  long  as  things  go  well,  the 
man  acts  with  integrity  ;  but  when  he  finds  that  upright  con- 
duct will  only  hasten  the  crisis  of  his  fate,  his  small  modicum 
of  Conscientiousness  goes  to  sleep,  and  he  has  recourse  to 
every  dishonest  expedient  to  put  off  the  evil  day.72 

What  is  remorse? 

That  distressful  state  of  mind  arising  from  Conscientious- 
ness or  Benevolence  when  outraged.     If  a  man,  in  an  un- 


72  Every  now  and  then,  we  hear  of  persons  who  had  previously  led  an 
upright  life,  running  off  with  large  sums  of  money,  to  the  no  small  astonish, 
ment  of  their  friends,  who  are  surprised  at  so  unaccountable  a  change  of 
character,  as  they  term  it.  There  is,  however,  no  change  of  any  kind. 
The  individuals  are,  in  every  respect,  precisely  the  same  as  they  were  before 
committing  the  felonious  act ;  but  they  have  been  placed  in  different  circum- 
stances, and  a  seeming  change  is  thus  produced  in  their  minds.  If  a  young 
man,  for  instance,  with  moderate  Conscientiousness  is  shopman  to  a  linen 
draper,  and  obliged  to  account  every  night  for  the  money  which  he  draws  in 
during  the  day,  he  may  act  with  perfect  honesty,  as  the  temptation  to  steal 
is  comparatively  small,  the  produce  of  a  single  day's  sale,  being  all  he  could 
possibly  appropriate ;  but  supposing  him,  in  virtue  of  his  sobriety,  obliging 
disposition,  attention  to  business,  and  dexterity  in  arithmetic,  to  be  appointed 
head  clerk  to  the  establishment,  and  entrusted,  from  time  to  time,  with  large 
sums  of  money,  it  is  perfectly  possible  that  he  may  act  very  differently. 
His  feeble  sense  of  Conscientiousness  may  be  unequal  to  the  enormously 
increased  temptation  to  which  it  is  exposed^and  nothing  is  more  likely  than, 
that  he  should  play  the  thief.  This  we  hear  of  every  day.  Such  cases 
would  be  far  less  frequent,  or  rather  they  would  not  happen  at  all,  were  the 
discriminative  powers  of  Phrenology  brought  into  play  in  the  choice  of  con- 
fidential servants. 

e2 


106  CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. 

guarded  moment,  does  any  thing  of  which  either  of  these 
faculties  strongly  disapproves,  the  pain  arising  from  such 
disapproval  constitutes  remorse. 

Do  all  who  commit  crimes  feel  the  pangs  of  remorse? 

They  do  not.  Where  Conscientiousness  is  very  deficient, 
especially  if  Benevolence  is  in  the  same  condition,  no  remorse 
whatever  is  experienced,  though  nothing  is  more  common 
than  the  belief  to  the  contrary,  even  among  enlightened  men. 
It  is  a  great  mistake  to  suppose  that  all  the  wicked  are 
tortured  by  the  pangs  of  conscience.  Bellingham  felt  no 
remorse  for  the  murder  of  Mr.  Perceval,  nor  did  Hare  for 
his  still  more  diabolical  deeds.73  When  such  wretches 
escape  the  gallows,  they  are  more  frequently  punished  by 
the  abhorence  of  society  than  by  any  internal  feeling  arising 
from  conscience.  The  mark  of  Cain  is  set  upon  them,  and 
they  walk  the  earth,  outcasts  from  the  human  race. 

73  William  Burke,  whose  Benevolence  was  not  so  small  as  that  of  Bel- 
ling-ham  and  Hare,  though  sadly  overpowered  by  the  predominance  of  his 
lower  propensities,  experienced  the  horrors  of  remorse  to  a  great  degree. 
He  stated  that,  for  a  long  time  after  the  commission  of  his  first  murder,  he 
felt  it  utterly  impossible  to  banish  for  a  single  hour  the  recollection  of  the 
fatal  struggle  he  had  with  his  victim — the  screams  of  distress  and  despair — 
the  agonizing  groans,  and  all  the  realities  of  the  dreadful  deed.  At  night, 
the  bloody  tragedy,  accompanied  by  frightful  visions  of  supernatural  beings, 
tormented  him  in  his  sleep.  For  a  long  time,  he  shuddered  on  being  alone 
in  the  dark,  and  during  the  night  kept  a  candle  constantly  burning  in  his 
room.  Even  to  the  last,  he  could  not  overcome  the  repugnance  of  his  moral 
nature  to  murder — such  a  glimmer  of  Benevolence  as  he  had,  was  always 
in  his  way  admonishing  him  j  and  this  he  had  to  extinguish  in  the  fumes  of 
whisky  before  he  was  able  to  overcome  its  influence.  He  positively  asserted 
that  he  could  not  have  committed  murder  when  perfectly  sober.  In  his  head 
the  organ  of  Conscientiousness  was  not  so  small  as  in  most  atrocious  cri- 
minals—hence his  visions  of  remorse. 

The  following  is  an  instance  of  the  absence  of  remorse.  Many  years  ago, 
a  wretch  was  broken  upon  the  wheel  at  Lyons,  for  some  shocking  murders 
which  he  had  committed.  After  having  his  limbs  broken  to  pieces,  the 
monster,  just  as  he  was  expiring,  laughed  aloud,  and  upon  being  asked  by 
the  executioner  what  was  the  cause  of  his  merriment,  said  he  could  not  help 
feeling  amused  at  the  recollection  of  the  grimaces  made  by  a  certain  spoon- 
maker,  into  whose  mouth  he  had  poured  melted  tin. 


CONSCIENTIOUSNESS.  107 

In  what  class  of  persons  is  an  ample  endowment  of  Con- 
scientiousness especially  requisite? 

No  human  being  exists  in  whom  a  deficiency  of  this 
most  god-like  of  all  the  faculties  is  not  to  be  deplored.  It 
is  in  a  peculiar  manner  necessary,  however,  to  judges  on  the 
bench,  ministers  of  state,  confidential  servants,  and  all 
entrusted  with  onerous  and  important  duties.  Justice,  in 
fact,  is  merely  the  manifestation  of  Conscientiousness. 

Can  this  faculty  be  abused? 

Yes,  especially  by  weak-minded  people.  An  honest 
man,  for  instance,  if  his  understanding  be  so  weak  that  he 
does  not  see  the  unjust  tendency  of  an  action,  may  persist 
in  doing  it,  in  the  belief  that  he  is  really  performing  his  duty. 
Another  abuse  of  the  faculty  is  an  absurd  adherence  to 
pernicious  principles  which  the  person  believes  to  be  right. 
Excessive  remorse  and  self-condemnation,  where  there  are 
no  circumstances  to  justify  such  feelings  to  half  the  extent  in 
which  they  are  experienced,  are  also  abuses  of  Conscien- 
tiousness. 

Do  you  affirm  that  all  actions  prompted  by  Conscientious- 
ness are  not  necessarily  just  ? 

I  do.  This  sentiment  being  a  blind  feeling,  merely  impels 
us  to  act  justly  and  must- be  aided  by  the  intellect  in  deter- 
mining what  is  just.  A  man,  for  instance,  may  think  that 
his  action  will  realize  the  dictates  of  justice,  whereas,  had 
his  intellect  or  knowledge  been  greater,  he  would  have 
seen  that  the  reverse  would  be  the  case. 

Is  great  delight  experienced  in  the  exercise  of  this 
faculty  f 

Greater  than  perhaps  from  any  other.  "  Honesty  is  its 
own  reward."  By  acting  in  obedience  to  Conscientiousness, 
a  man  may  involve  himself  in  poverty,  or  meet  with  impri- 
sonment and  torture ;  still  the  consolation  derived  from  his 
own  integrity  of  purpose  supports  him  :  he  is  recompensed 


10S  HOPE. 

by  the  approval  of  his  conscience,  and  rejoices  even  in  the 
midst  of  suffering.74 

17.  HOPE. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  on  each  side  of  Veneration,  and  its  tendency  is  to 
produce  the  feeling  of  Hope.  If  the  other  faculties  desire  any 
thing,  this  one  disposes  us  to  believe  in  the  possibility  of  their 
longings  being  gratified.  An  acquisitive  person,  for  instance, 
will  have  a  strong  hope  or  expectation  of  being  able  to 
obtain  money,  should  the  faculty  under  consideration  be 
powerful.  Nor  does  this  depend  upon  reflection ;  for  when 
reason  tells  us  that  the  chances  are  all  the  other  way,  we 
often  continue  hoping,  and  console  ourselves  with  the  idea 
of  ultimate  success. 

What  good  purpose  does  this  faculty  serve? 

It  induces  us  to  take  gay  and  pleasant  views  of  the  future, 
and  keeps  up  our  spirits  in  the  midst  of  misfortune :  though 
clouds  lower  around  us  we  are  cheered  with  the  expectation 
of  speedy  sunshine.  Mungo  Park  in  his  desolate  sojournings 
in  Africa,  and  Sir  John  Ross  in  his  miserable  Polar  solitude 
of  four  years,  must  have  been  powerfully  supported  by  the  in- 
fluence of  this  organ.  One  of  Ross's  men  died  of  sheer 
despondency,  which  would  not  have  happened  had  he  pos- 
sessed the  sentiment  in  vigour.  The  strong  hope  of  a  reprieve 


74  A  beautiful  instance  of  the  power  of  Conscientiousness  was  witnessed 
by  Dr.  Smollett.  Walking-  along  the  streets  of  Glasgow,  a  beggar,  in 
great  apparent  misery,  solicited  charity  of  the  doctor,  who,  putting  his  hand 
into  his  pocket,  gave  him  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  shilling,  but  which  was, 
in  reality,  a  guinea.  The  beggar  supposing  that  a  mistake  was  committed, 
ran  after  his  benefactor  and  tendered  him  the  golden  gift.  "  Good  God!  " 
exclaimed  Smollett,  on  witnessing  this  act  of  integrity,  "  in  what  a  habita- 
tion has  honesty  taken  up  her  abode! "  It  need  hardly  be  added  that  the 
generous  novelist  made  this  upright  mendicant  keep  what  he  had  received, 
as  a  reward  for  his  admirable  conduct. 


109 


has  sustained  the  spirits  of  malefactors  till  within  an  hour  of 
their  being  brought  upon  the  scaffold.  Mary  M'Innes, 
while  under  sentence  of  death  for  murder,  never  lost  the 
hope  of  being  pardoned. 

What  is  the  result  of  a  small  organ  of  Hope? 

The  person  is  prone  to  despondency.  He  never  takes 
cheering  views  of  the  future,  and  is  surprised  when  any  thing 
lucky  occurs.  People  of  this  turn  of  mind  are  seldom  disap- 
pointed, which  is  the  only  good  that  ever  results  from 
moderate  Hope.  In  suicides,  and  those  who  view  a  future 
state  with  apprehension,  we  should  expect  the  organ  to  be 
small  in  proportion  to  that  of  Cautiousness.  Deficient  Hope 
with  large  Cautiousness  and  Destructiveness  predisposes  to 
self-destruction.75 

What  are  the  abuses  of  Hope? 

Rashness,  credulity,  and  high  expectations,  not  founded  on 
reason.  Those  who  u  build  castles  in  the  air,"  gamblers, 
dabblers  in  lotteries  and  in  the  funds,  are  all  much  imbued 
with  the  sentiment  of  Hope. 

What  effect  has  Hope  upon  a  person's  religion  f 

It  disposes  to  faith  in  agreeable  views,  and  in  particular 
to  strong  belief  of  a  happy  state  of  being  in  a  life  to  come. 

18.   WONDER. 

Where  is  the  organ  of  Wonder  situated? 
Immediately  above  Ideality. 
What  is  its  function  f 

To  inspire  a  love  of  the  strange,  the  new,  and  the  mar- 
vellous.   It  gives  a  fondness  for  supernatural  stories,  and  a 

75  Suicide  is  sometimes  hereditary.  Dr.  Gall  mentions  a  family  where 
the  great-grandfather,  the  grandfather,  and  the  father  all  destroyed  them- 
selves. Another  he  speaks  of  where  the  grandmother,  her  sister,  and  the 
mother  did  the  same.  The  daughter  attempted  to  throw  herself  out  of  a 
window,  and  the  son  hanged  himself. 


1 10 


love  of  visiting  mysterious  and  unfrequented  countries ;  it 
also  disposes  to  the  belief  in  miracles,  witches,  and  apparitions, 
and  to  superstition  in  general.  It  is  not,  however,  the  only 
source  of  the  latter :  ill  directed  and  excessive  Veneration,  by 
disposing  to  belief  in  the  assertions,  however  absurd,  of  revered 
authority,  sometimes  leads  to  superstitious  opinions,  especially 
when  coupled  with  ignorance  and  weakness  of  intellect. 

Name  a  few  individuals  in  whom  you  would  expect  to  find 
a  large  organ  of  Wonder. 

I  should  look  for  it  in  such  persons  as  Hoffmann,  Radcliffe, 
Coleridge,  and  the  Ettrick  Shepherd.  The  Devils'  Elixir, 
the  Mysteries  of  Udolpho,  Christabel,  and  Kilmenny,  are  all 
strongly  characterised  by  the  sentiment  of  Wonder. 

Have  persons  who  see  apparitions,  generally  the  organ 
large? 

This  fact  seems  to  be  well  established.  In  the  portraits 
of  Tasso,  who  was  visited  by  a  familiar  spirit,  the  organ 
appears  large,  giving  his  head  that  rounded  fulness  im- 
mediately above  Ideality  which  is  possessed  by  all  who  have 
a  large  development  of  the  organ.  It  is  very  large  in  the 
head  of  Earl  Grey,  who  is  haunted  by  the  apparition  of  a 
bloody  head ;  and  a  crowd  of  cases  have  been  collected  by 
Dr.  Gall  and  others,  which  seem  to  place  the  matter  beyond 
a  doubt.  When  Gall  first  saw  Earl  Grey,  he  said  to  a  friend 
who  stood  by — "  That  man  beholds  visions."  These  facts 
are  curious,  and  apparently  incredible,  but  nevertheless  they 
are  supported  by  powerful  evidence. 

Why  should  a  mere  sentiment  induce  the  seeing  of  visions* 
which  is  an  intellectual  operation  ? 

The  organ  of  Wonder  cannot  of  itself  do  this,  but  it  pos- 
sesses the  peculiar,  though  unaccountable,  power  of  stimula- 
ting the  perceptive  organs,  and  thus  exciting  them  to  undue 
activity.  Thus  stimulated,  they  may  conjure  up  false 
images  and  cause  the  person  to  imagine  that  he  sees  visions, 


IDEALITY. 


Ill 


Is  the  organ  peculiarly  liable  to  excitement? 

More  so  than  most  others.  A  fanatical  preacher,  by 
calling  it  into  activity,  will  infect  with  his  zeal  a  whole 
parish.  Such  was  the  case  with  Irving,  Campbell,  and 
other  well-meaning  but  deluded  enthusiasts — to  say  nothing 
of  the  notorious  Joanna  Southcote.  During  the  persecutions 
in  Scotland,  excitement  of  this  organ  seems  to  have  been 
exceedingly  common  among  the  Covenanters. 

19.  IDEALITY. 

Where  does  this  organ  lie  ? 

On  the  side  of  the  head,  over  the  temples.  Above,  it  is 
bounded  by  Hope  and  Wonder,  behind  by  Cautiousness,  and 
below  by  Acquisitiveness.  In  the  following  likeness  of  the 
poet  Tasso  it  is  well  developed. 


What  is  the  nature  of  the  faculty  connected  with  it? 

It  consists  in  a  taste  for  the  graceful,  the  beautiful,  and 


112 


the  sublime.  All  things  which  partake  of  these  qualities 
gratify  it.  The  savage  desolation  of  Glenco,  the  awful  gloom 
and  sublimity  of  Chamouni,  the  graceful  loveliness  of  Win- 
dermere, a  beautiful  woman,  a  lovely  child,  the  Belvidere 
Apollo — all  such  objects  stimulate  the  organ,  and  give  rise 
to  emotions  of  the  grand  or  the  beautiful.  Painting,  sculpture, 
and  poetry,  the  loveliness  of  the  moonlight  hour,  and  the 
gorgeous  majesty  of  sunset,  are  all  dear  to  him  who  is  gifted 
with  Ideality. 

Why,  in  some  persons,  is  Ideality  most  highly  gratified  by 
the  beautiful,  in  others  by  the  sublime  ? 

Destructiveness  and  Cautiousness,  in  combination  with 
Ideality,  are  conjectured  to  give  a  love  of  the  sublime  in 
particular.  Where  a  love  of  the  beautiful  predominates  over 
that  of  the  grand  and  the  terrible,  the  two  former  are  proba- 
bly of  more  moderate  dimensions.  Destructiveness,  which 
seems  to  take  an  interest  in  desolation,  may  give  Ideality  a 
bias  towards  the  dreary  sublime,  while  Cautiousness  appears 
to  be  an  ingredient  in  love  of  the  terrible.  The  subject, 
however,  stands  in  need  of  farther  elucidation. 

Will  Ideality  alone  make  a  painter  or  a  poet? 

No  ;  but  it  gives  that  imaginative  feeling  or  enthusiasm 
which  enters  so  largely  into  the  composition  of  both.  To 
excel  in  these  arts  other  faculties  are  requisite ;  the  painter 
requiring  Form,  Size,  Colouring,  and  Constructiveness,  and 
the  poet  Language,  to  embody  his  conceptions.  Ideality,  in 
conjunction  with  one  or  more  of  these  intellectual  faculties, 
produces  what  is  called  Imagination. 

Mention  a  few  individuals  eminently  gifted  with  Ideality. 

iEschylus,  Pindar,  Shakspeare,  Milton,  Spenser,  and 
Ariosto,  among  poets;  Raphael,  Michael  Angelo,  and 
Salvator  Rosa  among  painters  ;  Thorwalsden  and  Flaxman 
among  sculptors.  The  works  of  these  great  men  display 
the  faculty  in  all  its  vigour. 


IDEALITY.  113 

What  is  the  character  of  a  person  who  has  a  great  endow' 
ment  of  Ideality  ? 

His  language  is  generally  elevated,  his  conceptions  flow 
from  him  rapidly  and  eloquently,  his  conversation  displays 
much  richness,  his  illustrations  are  copious  and  varied,  and 
he  abounds  in  figurative  language.  This  is  peculiarly  the 
case  where  the  organs  of  Language  and  Comparison  are 
also  large.    The  style  of  Lord  Bacon  is  replete  with  Ideality. 

When  the  organ  is  small,  is  the  character  materially  dif- 
ferent? 

Yes.  The  manners,  thoughts,  and  conversation  of  the  indi- 
vidual are  homely  and  unadorned.  He  seldom  or  never  uses 
poetical  language.  Grand  or  beautiful  objects  do  not  strike 
him  forcibly,  or  throw  him  into  raptures.  He  is  a  plain,  matter- 
of-fact  man,  who  boasts  largely  of  his  common  sense,  and 
affects  a  great  contempt  for  poetry,  and  other  imaginative 
productions.  The  organ  is  small  in  the  heads  of  Locke, 
Mr.  Joseph  Hume,  and  Cobbett.76 

Is  the  faculty  sharpened  or  blunted  by  old  age? 

Age  impairs  Ideality  more  than  almost  any  other  faculty. 
Old  people  seldom  display  any  of  it,  'although  there  are 
very  eminent  exceptions,  such  as  Homer,  Milton,  Goethe, 
and  Titian. 


76  Cobbett's  remarks  on  Milton  are  ludicrously  characteristic  of  his  defi- 
cient Ideality.  "  It  has,"  says  he,  "  become  of  late  years  the  fashion  to  extol 
the  virtues  of  potatoes,  as  it  has  been  to  admire  the  writings  of  Milton  and 
Shakspeare.  God,  almighty  and  all  fore-seeing,  first  permitting  his  chief 
angel  to  be  disposed  to  rebel  against  him  j  his  permitting  him  to  enlist  whole 
squadrons  of  angels  under  his  banners ;  his  permitting  the  devils  to  bring 
cannon  into  this  battle  in  the  clouds ;  his  permitting  one  devil  or  angel,  I 
forget  which,  to  be  split  down  the  middle,  from  crown  to  crotch,  as  we  split 
a  pig ;  his  permitting  the  two  halves,  intestines  and  all,  to  go  slap  up  together 
again,  and  become  a  perfect  body ;  his  then  permitting  all  the  devil  host  to  be 
tumbled  headlong  into  a  place  called  hell,  of  the  local  situation  of  wrhich,  no  man 
can  have  an  idea  j .  his  causing  gates  (iron  gates,  too)  to  be  erected  to  keep 
the  devil  in;  his  permitting  him  to  get  out,  nevertheless,  and  to  come  and 


114  IDEALITY. 

What  are  the  abuses  of  Ideality? 

Extravagance  of  thought,  absurd  enthusiasm,  flightiness, 
and  a  tendency  to  see  every  thing  through  a  false  medium. 
It  requires  strong  reflecting  powers,  and  much  self-command, 
to  restrain  the  ebullitions  of  excessive  Ideality.  Bombast, 
in  speaking  or  writing,  results  from  Ideality  and  Language, 
with  deficient  intellect.  This  kind  of  composition  is  very 
apt  to  impose  upon  people  whose  reflecting  faculties  are 
weak  and  knowledge  very  limited.  With  them  it  passes  for 
true  sublimity  ;  and  the  orator,  preacher,  or  poet,  who  uses 
it  is  looked  upon  as  a  first-rate  genius.  The  admiration  in 
which  the  absurd  rhapsodies  of  some  clergymen,  and  the 
inflated  effusions  of  many  poetasters  are  held  by  a  portion 
of  the  public,  is  a  sufficient  verification  of  this  remark. 

Is  this  a  faculty,  whose  possession  is  to  be  envied? 

Judging  from  the  present  condition  of  society,  I  should  say 
that  this  is  a  doubtful  point.  Ideality  certainly  beautifies  the 
mind,  and  gives  rise  to  the  most  exquisite  emotions  ;  but, 
unfortunately,  dealing,  as  it  does,  with  much  that  is  imaginary, 
its  possessor  is  apt  to  become  disgusted  with  the  grosser 
realities  he  must  daily  encounter.  The  refined  sensibility 
which  the  faculty,  when  very  active,  bestows,  is  perhaps 
rather  a  curse  ;  and  the  occasional  happiness  resulting  from 
it,  frequently  more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  outrages 
which  it  meets  with. 

destroy  the  peace  and  happiness  of  his  new  creation  j  his  permitting  his  son 
to  take  a  pair  of  compasses  out  of  a  drawer,  to  trace  the  form  of  the  earth ; 
all  this,  and,  indeed,  the  whole  of  Milton's  poem,  is  such  barbarous  trash, 
so  outrageously  offensive  to  reason  and  to  common  sense,  that  one  is  natur- 
ally led  to  wonder,  how  it  can  have  been  tolerated  by  a  people  amongst 
whom  astronomy,  navigation,  and  chemistry  are  understood.  But  it  is  the 
fashion  to  turn  up  the  eyes  when  *  Paradise  Lost  *  is  mentioned  -3  and  if  you 
fail  herein,  you  want  taste ;  you  want  judgment  even,  if  you  do  not  admire 
this  absurd  and  ridiculous  stuff,  when,  if  one  of  your  relations  were  to 
write  a  letter  in  the  same  strain,  you  would  send  him  to  a  mad-honse,  and 
take  his  estate." 


115 


20.  wit. 

Describe  the  situation  of  the  organ  of  Wit. 

It  lies  in  the  anterior,  superior,  and  lateral  parts  of  the 
forehead.  The  sketch  here  given  of  the  head  of  Rabelais 
exhibits  an  ample  development  of  it.  The  width  of  the  upper 
part  of  his  forehead  is  occasioned  by  the  unusual  size  of  the 
organ. 


What  is  the  nature  of  the  faculty? 

It  may  be  described  as  that  feeling  which  gives  a  tendency 
to  view  things  in  a  ludicrous  light,  and  inspires  the  sense  of 
the  ridiculous.  Combined  with  Destructiveness,  it  leads  to 
satire. 

In  whom  would  you  expect  to  find  the  organ  large? 

In  gay,  mirthful,  and  facetious  people ;  in  those  who 
possess  the  power  of  brilliant  and  humorous  repartee,  such  as 
the  celebrated  Duchess  of  Gordon,  Lady  Wallace,  Lord 


116 


Norbury,  Harry  Erskine ;  in  such  writers  as  the  Rev. 
Sidney  Smith,  Sterne,  Swift,  Voltaire,  Piron,  and  Cervantes; 
and  in  such  actors  as  Garrick,  Matthews,  and  Munden. 
Caricaturists,  such  as  Hogarth,  Bunbury,  Rowlandson,  and 
Cruikshank,  must  also  be  well  endowed  with  the  organ. 

Is  humour  synonymous  with  wit  ? 

It  is  not,  although  the  best  species  of  humour  is  that  which 
is  well  seasoned  with  wit.  Humour  depends  greatly  upon 
the  manner,  wit  not  at  all.  A  witty  remark  is  witty  all  the 
world  over,  by  whomsoever  made,  while  what  is  humourous 
from  one  man,  may  be  quite  the  reverse  from  another.  "  The 
School  for  Scandal "  is  a  comedy  remarkable  for  wit :  "  She 
Stoops  to  Conquer  "  is  as  remarkable  for  humour. 

What  follows  when  the  organ  is  small? 

The  person  has  a  natural  dislike  to  drollery.  Those  who 
deal  in  it  he  considers  buffons,  and  wit  altogether  as  a  piece 
of  impertinence.  He  hates  absurdity,  and  every  thing  which 
does  not  square  with  the  most  rigid  common  sense. 

What  are  the  abuses  of  the  faculty  ? 

An  incessant  tendency  to  laugh  at  every  thing;  an  immo- 
derate buoyancy  and  ebullience  of  spirits,  and  an  inclination 
to  say  witty  things  on  all  occasions.  Rabelais  joked  on  his 
death-bed,  and  Sir  Thomas  More  on  the  scaffold ;  proofs  of 
the  ruling  passion  being  strong  even  in  death.  Wit  is  a 
most  dangerous  talent  to  be  possessed  by  a  badly-disposed 
person. 

Are  phrenologists  agreed  concerning  the  elementary  func- 
tion of  this  organ  f 

No :  some  are  of  opinion  that  it  merely  gives  the  ability 
to  perceive  differences,  and  that  this  perception  is,  in  certain 
circumstances,  attended  with  the  emotion  of  the  ludicrous. 
The  faculty  has  not  yet  been  satisfactorily  analyzed. 


IMITATION.  117 


21.    IMITATION. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ. 
It  lies  directly  above  Causality,  and  on  each  side  of  Benevo- 
lence.    Its  function  is   to   produce  imitation  in  general: 
mimicry  is  one  of  its  most  active  results. 

Is  the  imitative  faculty  peculiar  to  the  human  subject? 

No.  Some  of  the  inferior  animals  are  well  endowed  with 
it.  The  monkey,  the  parrot,  the  starling,  and  the  mocking- 
bird, have  the  faculty  in  great  perfection,  as  well  as  the 
organ  which  manifests  it.  Speaking  of  the  mocking-bird,  Dr. 
Mason  Good  observes,  "  Its  own  natural  note  is  delightfully 
musical  and  solemn  ;  but,  beyond  this,  it  possesses  an  instinc- 
tive talent  of  imitating  the  note  of  every  other  singing  bird, 
and  even  the  voice  of  every  bird  of  prey,  so  exactly  as  to 
deceive  the  very  kinds  it  attempts  to  mock.  It  is,  more- 
over, playful  enough  to  find  amusement  in  the  deception, 
and  takes  a  pleasure  in  decoying  smaller  birds  near  it  by 
mimicking  their  notes,  when  it  frightens  them  almost  to  death, 
or  drives  them  away  with  all  speed,  by  pouring  upon  them 
the  screams  of  such  birds  of  prey  as  they  most  dread." 

Do  not  other  organs  assist  that  of  Imitation  in  producing 
mimicry  f 

Such  undoubtedly  is  the  case.  Tune,  for  instance,  adds 
much  to  the  power  of  imitating  voices  and  other  sounds. 
Wit  directs  the  imitative  faculty  in  its  own  channel,  and 
assists  it  greatly  inpourtraying  the  ludicrous  ;  while  Secretive- 
ness  enables  the  mimic  to  veil  his  own  peculiarities  while 
representing  those  of  another  person.  To  imitate  success- 
fully coarse  ferocious  characters,  Destructiveness  and  general 
large  size  of  brain  are  necessary.  Large  Self-Esteem  assists 
in  representing  pomposity,  and  large  Love  of  Approbation 
in  hitting  off  vanity.     Ideality  gives  richness,  beauty,  and 


118  IMITATION. 

delicacy  to  imitations,  while  Individuality  is  very  essential  to 
a  successful  mimic,  by  the  power  of  observation  which  it 
communicates.77 

Is  Imitation  necessary  for  the  profession  of  an  actor f 

Eminently  so.  The  process  by  which  the  performer  merges 
his  own  character  in  that  represented,  is  effected  by  means 
of  Imitation  and  Secretiveness.  All  distinguished  actors 
are  good  mimics,  even  in  the  vulgar  sense  of  the  word. 
Such  was  the  case  with  Garrick,  Foote,  Kean,  and  a  multi- 
tude of  others.  Matthews,  who  was  one  of  the  best  ever 
known,  had  a  large  organ  of  Imitation.  It  is  found  greatly 
developed  in  good  ventriloquists. 

Is  it  requisite  for  any  other  profession? 

It  is  very  necessary  for  painters — painting,  especially  por- 
traiture, being  essentially  an  imitative  art.  Most  good 
painters  excel  in  mimicry,  and  this  results  from  the  great 
degree  in  which  they  are  gifted  with  the  organ.  Dramatic 
writers  require  a  large  endowment  of  it.  In  the  likenesses  of 
Shakspeare — whether  these  be  authentic  or  not — it  appears 
greatly  developed,  and  so,  also,  it  was  in  the  head  of  Sir 
Walter  Scott,  whose  writings  are  highly  dramatic. 

Must  a  person  with  large  Imitation  be  necessarily  a  good 
mimic? 

No.  The  imitative  talent  may  display  itself  in  some 
higher  walk  than  in  mere  mimicry,  as  in  those  mentioned 
above. 


77  The  power  of  a  combination  of  organs  in  producing  mimicry  of  the 
first  order,  is  well  displayed  in  a  gentleman  well  known  to  me,  and  distin- 
guished for  the  brilliancy  and  versatility  of  his  talents.  The  organs  of 
Imitation  and  Secretiveness  are  greatly  developed  in  his  head.  Tune  is  well 
marked,  and  he  has  a  very  fine  endowment  of  Individuality,  Wonder,  Ide- 
ality, and  Wit.  Benevolence  and  Love  of  Approbation  are  very  large; 
and  there  is  also  a  large  Destructiveness.  The  head  is  of  great  general 
size,  and  the  temperament  an  extremely  active  one.  In  harmony  with  this 
combination,  he  possesses  mimetical  talents  of  the  highest  order.    He  is, 


EXTERNAL  SENSES.  119 


ORDER  II.— INTELLECTUAL  FACULTIES. 

What  faculties  are  called  Intellectual? 

Those  which  make  man  and  the  lower  animals  acquainted 
with  the  existence,  qualities,  and  relations  of  objects.  They 
are  divided,  though  not  quite  accurately  as  to  details,  into 
three  Genera, — 1st,  The  External  Senses ;  2d,  The  Internal 
Senses  or  Perceptive  Faculties;  and  3d,  The  Reflective 
Faculties. 

GENUS  I.— THE  EXTERNAL  SENSES. 

What  are  the  External  Senses  ? 

Those  faculties  which,  by  means  of  organs  in  direct 
relation  with  the  external  world,  are  the  inlets  of  impressions 
or  sensations  from  without.     Some  object  to  calling  the 


moreover,  an  admirable  ventriloquist;  and  his  displays  in  this  walk  have  a 
beauty  and  supernatural  effect — the  result  of  large  Ideality  and  Wonder — 
which  I  have  not  heard  equalled.  His  large  Benevolence  enables  him  to 
represent  successfully  good-humoured,  his  large  Wit  ridiculous,  and  his 
large  Love  of  Approbation  vain  characters.  His  good  endowment  of  Des- 
tructiveness  aids  him  greatly  in  representing  anger  and  ferocity;  and  the 
general  size  of  his  brain  gives  him  the  power  of  infusing  energy  and  bold- 
ness, when  these  are  required,  into  his  imitations.  In  addition  to  his  multi- 
farious accomplishments  as  a  mimic,  he  possesses  incredible  power  over  his 
face,  which  he  can  mould  into  a  variety  of  different  aspects,  each  accurately 
representing  a  real  character ;  and  so  totally  unlike  are  these  from  one  another , 
that  while  some  are  striking  likenesses  of  people  of  twenty-five  or  thirty, 
others  correctly  resemble  men  of  fourscore.  These  changes  of  face  add 
immensely  to  the  effect  of  his  imitations,  more  especially  as  he  gives,  along 
with  each  particular  physiognomy,  the  exact  voice  of  the  person  whose 
face  is  represented.  His  power  of  transmuting  himself,  as  it  were,  into 
other  characters,  is,  indeed,  altogether  astonishing;  and  for  brilliancy, 
variety,  intensity,  and  sustained  power,  I  never  saw  any  one  whose  imita- 
tive talents  could  be  put  into  competition  with  his.  A  few  of  the  numerous 
Protean  aspects  of  this  incomparable  mimic  have  been  sketched  for  me  in  a 
very  spirited  manner,  by  my  friend  Mr.  Macnee,  Portrait  Painter  in  Glasgow. 


120  EXTERNAL  SENSES. 

External  Senses  intellectual  faculties.  In  answer  to  this,  it 
may  be  stated,  that  a  faculty  is  a  power,  and  intellectual 
faculties  are  those  which  know.  The  sense  of  feeling 
knows.  It  perceives  and  discriminates  sensations  of  a 
particular  kind.  True,  the  nerves  do  not  perceive,  but  let 
it  be  remembered,  that  the  senses  have  cerebral  organs, 
probably  at  the  base  of  the  brain.  Mutilating  experiments 
seem  to  prove,  that  if  the  parts  about  the  medulla  oblongata 
are  allowed  to  remain,  the  senses  continue  active,  notwith- 
standing the  removal  of  the  hemispheres.  As  each  ex- 
ternal sense  must  have  a  cerebral  organ,  there  is  thus  no 
absurdity  in  considering  them  to  be  intellectual  faculties. 

How  many  senses  are  there  ? 

Hitherto  their  number  has  been  limited  to  five,  viz.  Feel- 
ing or  Touch,  Taste,  Smell,  Hearing,  and  Sight;  but  good 
reason  has  recently  been  shown  for  regarding  certain  nerves 
distributed  to  the  muscles,  and  discovered  by  Sir  Charles 
Bell,  as  having  reference  to  a  sixth  sense — that  of  Mechani- 
cal Resistance.  The  following  explanation  will  give  some 
idea  of  this  sense : — To  enable  the  muscles  to  execute  the 
mandates  of  the  will,  they  are  connected  with  the  brain  by 
the  nerves  of  motion,  which  are  every  where  distributed 
over  them.  Till  very  recently,  these  nerves  of  motion  were 
supposed  to  be  simple;  but  Sir  Charles  Bell  has  demonstrated, 
that,  in  reality,  each  is  composed  of  two  nerves,  bound  up 
in  the  same  sheath,  but  serving  different  purposes.  One, 
called  the  Motor  nerve,  transmits  from  the  brain  to  the 
muscle  the  nervous  stimulus  necessary  to  produce  the 
desired  contraction  and,  consequently,  motion;  while  the 
other,  that  of  the  sense  of  Mechanical  Resistance,  gives 
the  brain  information  as  to  the  state  of  the  muscle  whose 
contraction  is  desired,  thus  enabling  the  brain  to  send  to  it 
the  exact  amount  of  nervous  stimulus  necessary  for  accom- 
plishing the  intended  effort.     By  "  the  state  of  the  muscles," 


EXTERNAL  SENSES.  121 

is  meant  the  existing  degree  of  their  contraction — in  other 
words,  the  force  which  they  are  exerting  against  a  resisting 
body.?8 

75  it  the  brain  which  takes  cognizance  of  impressions,  or 
are  they  perceived  by  these  external  organs  of  the  senses  ? 

The  brain  undoubtedly.  The  external  organs  have  no 
function,  but  to  convey  the  impressions  to  the  sensorium. 

How  is  this  reconcileable  with  the  fact,  that  when  the 
nerve  of  sight  is  impaired,  vision  is  destroyed  ? 

The  cause  is  obvious,  for  if  the  communicating  medium 
which  carries  the  impression  to  the  brain  is  destroyed,  it  is 
not  to  be  supposed  that  the  brain  can  receive  the  impression. 

Does  the  brain  ever  receive,  by  other  means,  impressions 
similar  to  those  brought  to  it  by  the  senses  ? 

It  occasionally  does,  but  the  impressions  are  false,  and 
have  no  relation  to  any  thing  occurring,  or  existing,  without. 
Thus,  in  consequence  of  some  internal  stimulus  operating  in 
the  brain,  the  blind  have  sometimes  a  distinct  impression  of 
seeing,  and  the  deaf  of  hearing.  The  brain,  in  such  cases} 
is  stimulated  in  the  same  way  as  by  the  eyes  and  ears 
bringing  impressions  to  it,  but  those  external  senses  being 
incapable  of  carrying  such  impressions,  the  perceptions  are, 
of  course,  fallacious.  It  sometimes  happens,  in  like  manner, 
that  people  neither  blind  nor  deaf  see  apparitions  and  hear 
sounds  that  have  no  existence  without.  This  occurs  in 
consequence  of  the  brain  or  nerves  being  affected  by  disease, 
in  the  same  way  as  they  are  influenced  in  health  by  external 
impressions. 


78  See  a  very  able  and  elaborate  essay  by  Mr.  Simpson,  in  the  43d  Num- 
ber of  the  Phrenological  Journal,  where  the  functions  of  the  motor  nerve, 
and  nerve  of  mechanical  resistance,  are  clearly  and  satisfactorily  distin- 
guished and  illustrated. 


122 


INDIVIDUALITY. 


GENUS  II THE  PERCEPTIVE,  OR  KNOWING 

FACULTIES. 

SPECIES  I.— INTELLECTUAL  FACULTIES  WHICH  TAKE  COG- 
NIZANCE OF  THE  EXISTENCE  OF  EXTERNAL  OBJECTS 
AND  THEIR  PHYSICAL  QUALITIES. 

22.   INDIVIDUALITY. 

Describe  the  position  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  in  the  centre  and  lower  part  of  the  forehead,  im- 
mediately above  the  root  of  the  nose.  Both  it  and  Locality 
are  represented  as  largely  developed  in  the  following  sketch 
of  the  head  of  Pope  Martin  V. : 


22.  Individuality.        27.  Locality. 


What  is  the  nature  of  its  faculty  ? 

To  give  an  aptitude  for  observing  and  remembering  ob- 
jects, without  any  reference  to  their  qualities,  or  the  purposes 


INDIVIDUALITY.  123 

served  by  them.  For  instance,  two  persons,  one  with  a 
large,  the  other  with  a  small  development,  enter  a  room 
together:  the  first  notices  every  thing  presented  to  his 
senses — the  chairs,  the  pictures,  the  ornaments — and  re- 
members accurately  what  he  sees;  the  other  has  little  ten- 
dency of  the  kind.  Objects  do  not  strike  him  with  any 
thing  like  the  same  force,  although  he  may  be  otherwise  a 
very  superior  man.  Farther,  it  gives  the  memory  of  facts 
which  are  not  events.  It  recollects,  for  example,  that  pla- 
tina  is  heavier  than  gold,  that  salt  water  supports  bodies 
better  than  fresh,  that  the  tower  of  Strasburgh  cathedral  is 
very  high,  and  so  on.  If  we  read  Peregrine  Pickle,  it  will 
enable  us  to  remember  that  Jack  Hatchway  had  a  wooden 
leg,  and  that  Commodore  Trunnion  was  blind  of  an  eye, 
but  the  power  of  recollecting  the  varied  adventures  of  these 
characters  depends  on  another  organ — that  of  Eventuality. 

To  what  class  of  persons  is  a  good  endowment  of  Indi- 
viduality especially  useful? 

It  is  a  valuable  faculty  to  the  naturalist,  the  physician, 
the  lawyer,  and  merchant — to  all,  in  short,  who  are  obliged 
to  load  their  memory  with  numerous  details. 

What  is  the  character  of  those  who  have  the  organ  large  f 

They  are  clever  observant  persons,  with  a  great  aptitude 
for  remembering  such  facts  as  we  have  mentioned.  Nothing 
escapes  them;  but  they  are  often  incapable  of  reasoning 
upon  the  knowledge  they  possess,  and  very  frequently  shal- 
low; reflection  and  profundity  depending  upon  a  higher 
order  of  faculties.79     A  man  who  has   Individuality  and 


79  "  I  accompanied  two  gentlemen  to  see  a  great  public  work,  in  one  of 
whom  Individuality  was  large,  and  Causality  small,  and  in  the  other  of 
whom  the  proportions  of  these  organs  were  reversed.  The  former,  in  sur- 
veying the  different  objects  and  operations,  put  question  after  question  to 
the  workmen  in  rapid  and  long-continued  succession ;  and  nearly  all  the 
information  which  he  carried  away  with  him  was  acquired  in  answer  to 


V24  INDIVIDUALITY. 

good  reflective  organs  combined,  will  be  both  a  quick 
observer  and  a  deep  thinker.  Watt  seems  to  have  been  a 
person  of  this  stamp,  and  Cuvier  was  another  illustrious 
example. 

Are  nations  variously  endowed  with  this  organ? 

Its  size  varies  much  in  different  nations  :  it  is  smaller  in  the 
English  than  in  the  French  head,  and  in  the  Scotch  smaller 
than  in  either.  The  quickness  of  observation  and  aptitude 
for  details  possessed  by  the  French,  depend  upon  the  ample 
endowment  which  the  nation  enjoys  of  this  organ. 

Do  not  the  frontal  sinuses80  prove  an  obstacle  to  the  accu- 
rate ascertainment  of  the  size  of  Individuality  ? 

In  the  cases  of  adults  and  old  people,  where  the  sinuses 
are  large  and  approximate  closely,  they  do.  The  best  way 
to  ascertain  the  dimensions  of  the  organ,  is  to  examine  the 
heads  of  young  people  before  the  sinuses  are  formed.  Even 
in  adults,  however,  deficiency  of  the  organ  can  never  be 
mistaken. 


specific  interrogatories.  His  mind  scarcely  supplied  a  step  by  its  own  re- 
flection ;  and  did  not  appear  to  survey  the  operations  as  a  systematic  whole. 
The  latter  individual  looked  along-  time  in  silence  before  he  pat  a  question 
at  all ;  and  when  he  did  ask  one,  it  was,  What  is  the  use  of  that  ?  The 
answer  enabled  his  own  mind  to  supply  a  multitude  of  additional  ideas ;  he 
proceeded  in  his  examination,  and  it  was  only  on  arriving  at  another  in- 
comprehensible part  of  the  apparatus  that  he  again  inquired.  At  last  he 
got  through;  then  turned  back,  and,  with  the  most  apparent  satisfaction, 
contemplated  in  silence  the  operations  from  beginning  to  end  as  an  entire 
system.  I  heard  him  afterwards  describe  what  he  had  seen,  and  discovered 
that  he  had  carried  off  a  distinct  comprehension  of  the  principles  and  objects  of 
the  work.  It  is  probable,  that  a  superficial  observer  would  have  regarded  the 
first  as  the  acute,  intelligent,  and  observing  man  of  genius — the  person  who 
noticed  every  thing,  and  asked  about  every  thing;  and  the  latter  as  a  dull 
uninteresting  man,  who  put  only  two  or  three  questions,  looked  heavily, 
and  said  nothing." — Combe's  System,  4th  edition,  vol.  ii.  p.  582. 

80  The  frontal  sinuses  are  two  hollow  spaces — one  on  each  side— above 
the  root  of  the  nose,  formed  by  the  receding  of  the  outer  from  the  inner 
table  of  the  skull. 


125 


23.    FORM. 

Where  is  the  organ  of  Form  situated? 

On  each  side  of  the  crista  galli81  of  the  ethmoid  bone: 
it  gives  width  between  the  eyes,  as  may  be  seen  in  the 
heads  of  artists  who  are  eminent  for  portraiture.  Audubon, 
in  describing  the  person  of  Bewick,  the  celebrated  engraver 
in  wood,  represents  his  eyes  as  being  placed  farther  apart 
from  each  other  than  those  of  any  other  man  he  had  ever 
seen;  and,  in  accordance  with  their  formation,  Bewick's  works 
indicate  a  very  admirable  perception  of  form.  The  follow- 
ing engraving  of  Vandyke's  head  represents  a  large  develop- 
ment of  the  organ : — 


What  faculty  is  connected  with  this  organ  f 

81  A  small  perpendicular  projection  arising  from  the  upper  surface  of  the 
ethmoid  bone.  The  olfactory  nerve,  or  nerve  of  smell,  lies  on  each  side  of 
the  crista  galli. 


126  size. 

That  of  perceiving  and  recollecting  forms.  People  differ 
wonderfully  in  this  respect.  One  man  from  taking  a  glance 
at  an  object  will  sketch  it  accurately:  another  could  not 
give  a  correct  representation  were  he  to  labour  for  a  month. 
It  is  a  most  material  element  in  the  talent  for  drawing;  it 
enables  us  to  take  likenesses,  and  is,  in  fact,  absolutely 
essential  to  artists  of  every  description.  The  organ  gives 
the  power  of  recollecting  faces;  of  this,  George  III.  was 
a  good  illustration.  It  also  tends,  especially  if  accom- 
panied with  an  active  Comparison,  to  the  personification  of 
abstract  ideas ;  representing,  for  instance,  time  under  the 
symbol  of  an  hour  glass,  or  an  old  man  with  a  scythe, 
innocence  as  a  dove,  sin  as  a  serpent,  death  as  a  skeleton, 
and  so  on.  It  enables  the  architect  to  produce  noble  de- 
signs; and  by  its  aid  milliners,  mantua-makers,  and  tailors 
invent  patterns,  and  thus  add  to  the  varieties  of  dress. 

In  what  nations  is  it  large  ? 

It  is  large  in  the  Chinese,  which  accounts  for  the  minute, 
and  almost  frivolous  accuracy,  of  their  delineations.  It  is 
large  also  in  the  French,  and,  I  should  suppose,  in  the 
Italian  head. 


24.  size. 

Describe  the  situation  and  function  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  over  the  inner  angle  of  the  eye,  immediately  above 
the  root  of  the  nose.  Its  faculty  is  to  give  the  idea  of  space, 
and  the  power  of  appreciating  the  dimensions  of  objects; 
in  other  words,  the  quantity  of  space  which  they  occupy. 
It  takes  cognizance  also  of  lineal  space,  or  distance.  At 
first  sight,  the  function  of  this  organ  may  seem  to  be  in- 
volved in  that  of  the  preceding;  but  Size  is  really  a  differ- 
ent faculty  from  that  which  perceives  forms.  We  may  have 
a  very  perfect  idea  of  the  shape  of  a  body,  and  a  most  in- 


WEIGHT.  127 

accurate  one  of  its  bulk.  Ask  one  man  the  length  of  a 
certain  log  of  wood,  and  he  will  tell  you  with  considerable 
accuracy  by  merely  looking  at  it;  ask  another,  and  he  errs 
egregiously.  This  shows  that  there  must  be  a  special  organ 
for  Size. 

Is  a  good  development  useful  to  an  artist  ? 

It  is,  by  enabling  him  to  give  each  part  of  the  represen- 
tation its  proper  size;  in  other  words,  to  keep  the  propor- 
tions accurate.  To  the  landscape-painter  it  is  probably  of 
great  use,  the  accurate  perception  of  perspective  being  sup- 
posed to  depend  upon  it.  To  artizans  and  mechanics  in 
general,  it  must  be  a  matter  of  importance  to  have  a  correct 
idea  of  size.  Those  in  whom  the  faculty  is  weak,  will  con- 
stantly require  to  have  recourse  to  compasses  and  other 
measuring  instruments,  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the 
respective  dimensions  of  what  they  are  engaged  upon. 

25.  WEIGHT. 

What  is  the  peculiar  function  of  this  organ  ? 

The  organ  of  Weight,  which  adjoins,  and  lies  to  the  out- 
side of  Size,  is  supposed  to  give  the  idea  of  the  ponderosity 
of  bodies,  and,  in  general,  of  mechanical  force  and  resist- 
ance. It  is  probably  to  this  organ  that  the  nerves  of 
mechanical  resistance  convey  the  idea  of  the  state  of  the 
muscles.  If  it  is  largely  developed,  that  idea,  so  communi- 
cated, will  be  proportionally  vivid. 

In  whom  is  it  said  to  be  large  ? 

In  those  who  excel  in  archery,  skating,  quoits,  and  all 
who  have  great  facility  in  judging  of  momentum  and  resist- 
ance in  mechanics.  It  is  probably  large  in  the  heads  of 
skilful  pugilists,  such  as  Randal,  Ward,  and  Belcher;  also 
in  those  who  excel  in  fencing,  such  as  Roland  and  Foucart, 
and  in  good  equestrians  and  rope-dancers,  as,  for  instance, 


128  COLOURING. 

Ducrow,  in  whom  it  is  amply  developed.  Children  who 
walk  early  are  supposed  to  have  it  large.  It  is  well  marked 
in  the  heads  of  eminent  engineers,  and  all  who  have  a 
talent  for  the  investigation  of  mechanical  forces.  Sir  Isaac 
Newton,  Sir  David  Brewster,  Sir  John  Leslie,  and  Mr. 
Jardine  of  Edinburgh,  the  eminent  engineer,  afford  instances 
in  which  it  is  strikingly  developed.  It  is  supposed  by  some, 
to  give  the  idea  of  the  perpendicularity  of  bodies;  at  least, 
several  builders  who  possess  this  power  in  great  perfection, 
are  observed  to  have  it  large.  This  and  the  preceding 
organ  are  not  so  well  established82  as  some  others,  and 
farther  observations  are  still  wanting  to  place  them  beyond 
the  pale  of  probability.  The  existence  of  the  faculties, 
however,  seems  unquestionable. 

26.   COLOURING. 

What  is  the  nature  of  this  faculty  ? 

To  communicate  the  perception  of  colours.  When  the 
organ  is  large,  this  perception  is  extremely  vivid.  There  is 
a  love  of  colours  for  their  own  sake,  and  a  remarkable 
power  of  minutely  discriminating  their  nicest  shades.  Com- 
bined with  Ideality,  it  gives  a  just  and  delicate  perception 
of  colours.  When  the  organ  is  small,  a  difficulty  is  experi- 
enced in  perceiving  and  distinguishing  colours,  and  in 
appreciating  their  harmony.  Such  cases  are  often  met 
with,  and  arise  from  a  defective  size  of  this  part  of  the 
brain.     Many  people  cannot  distinguish  brown  from  olive, 


82  When  we  say  that  an  organ  is  not  well  established,  it  is  not  to  be 
understood  that  we  infer  there  is  any  faculty  without  a  corresponding- 
organ,  but  simply,  that  phrenologists  are  yet  undecided,  whether  the  cere- 
bral part  they  have  been  led  to  regard  as  the  organ,  is  the  just  one.  If 
there  be  a  faculty  of  Weight,  there  must  be  an  organ :  whether  the  organ 
which  has  been  assigned  as  the  seat  of  this  faculty  be  the  real  one,  future 
observations  must  determine. 


COLOURING. 


129 


green  from  blue,  or  yellow  from  orange;  while  others, 
though  not  so  defective  as  this,  are  unable  to  perceive 
harmony  or  discord  in  the  arrangement  or  combination  of 
colours.83 

May  not  this  depend  upon  indifferent  sight  f 

It  has  nothing  to  do  with  this,  because  the  persons  so 
circumstanced  have,  as  respects  every  thing  else,  as  good 
eyes  as  their  neighbours.  Many  people  hear  perfectly  well, 
and  yet  cannot  distinguish  one  tune  from  another :  it  is  the 
same  with  the  eyes,  as  regards  colours. 

Where  is  the  organ  situated  f 

At  the  middle  of  the  eyebrows,  between  the  organs  of 
Weight  and  Order.  Its  position  may  be  seen  in  the  annexed 
likeness  of  Rubens,  in  whose  head  it  was  very  large. 


83  "  Dr.  Nicol  has  recorded  a  case,  where  a  naval  officer  purchased  a  blue 

uuiform  coat  and  waistcoat,  with  red  breeches  to  match  the  blue,  and  Mr. 

Harvey  describes  the  case  of  a  tailor  at  Plymouth,  who,  on  one  occasion, 

F    2 


130  LOCALITY. 

In  ichat  class  of  persons  is  this  organ  large  ? 

In  artists  distinguished  for  colouring,  as  Rubens,  Titian, 
Claude  Lorraine,  and  Salvator  Rosa,  and  in  individuals  who 
have  a  passion  for  brilliant  and  gaudy  dresses.  Those  who 
are  particularly  fond  of  flowers  and  of  birds  with  beautiful 
plumage,  have  probably  the  organ  large :  it  is  very  ample 
in  Montreuil,  author  of  the  "  French  Florist"  Poets  who 
are  fond  of  describing  the  infinite  hues  presented  by  nature, 
are  well  endowed  with  it. 

In  which  sex  is  it  generally  larger  ? 

In  the  female.  Women,  as  colourists,  have  rivalled  men, 
while  for  design  and  the  higher  walks  of  painting,  they  are 
greatly  inferior.  The  passion  for  gaudy  ornaments  is,  be- 
sides, stronger  in  them  than  in  the  other  sex.84 


SPECIES  II— INTELLECTUAL  FACULTIES  WHICH  TAKE  COG- 
NIZANCE OF  THE  RELATIONS  OF  EXTERNAL  OBJECTS. 

27.    LOCALITY. 

May  not  a  large  frontal  sinus  be  mistaken  for  this  organ  ? 

repaired  an  article  of  dress  with  crimson  instead  of  black  silk,  and  on  an- 
other, patched  the  elbow  of  a  blue  coat  with  a  piece  of  crimson  cloth.  It 
deserves  to  be  remarked,  that  our  celebrated  countryman,  the  late  Mr. 
Dugald  Stewart,  had  a  similar  difficulty  in  distinguishing-  colours,  and  the 
same  remark  applies  to  Messrs.  Dalton  and  Troughton.  Mr.  Stewart  dis- 
covered this  defect,  when  one  of  his  family  was  admiring  the  beauty  of  the 
Siberian  crab-apple,  which  he  could  not  discover  from  the  leaves,  but  by  its 
form  and  size.  Mr.  Dalton  cannot  distinguish  blue  from  pink.  Mr.  Trough- 
ton  regards  red,  ruddy  pinks,  and  brilliant  oranges  as  yellows,  and  greens 
as  blues,  so  that  he  is  capable  only  of  appreciating  blue  and  yellow  colours." 
— Sir  David  Brewster's  Letters  on  Natural  Magic,  p.  31. 

84  The  organ  of  Colouring  in  persons  born  blind,  or  who  have  lost  their 
sight  in  infancy,  is  always  deficient.  This  was  first  observed  by  Dr.  Spurz- 
heim,  and  I  had  an  opportunity  of  verifying  the  fact  during  a  visit,  which 
I.made  along  with  Mr.  Combe,  to  the  Glasgow  Blind  Asylum.  The  organ 
never  having  been  exercised,  ceases  to  grow.  It  is  perfectly  reasonable  to 
infer,  that  the  same  law  prevails  with  respect  to  other  organs. 


LOCALITY.  131 

It  may;  and  cases,  doubtless,  have  occurred,  where  such 
a  circumstance  has  led  to  mistakes  :  but,  generally  speaking, 
the  sinus  does  not  ascend  higher  than  the  inferior  portion  of 
Locality;  and  in  children,  at  any  rate,  a  mistake  of  this  kind 
cannot  well  occur,  as  the  sinus,  at  that  age,  is  scarcely  ever 
formed.  In  the  case  of  adults,  no  prudent  phrenologist 
gives  an  unqualified  opinion  as  to  the  size  of  this  organ,  except 
where  the  flatness  or  depression  of  the  surface  unequivocally 
proclaims  it  to  be  small. 

How  may  a  large  sinus  be  generally  discriminated  from 
the  organ? 

The  prominences  formed  by  the  sinus  are  irregular  in 
form,  and  lie  for  the  most  part  horizontally;  the  elevations 
occasioned  by  large  Locality  are  uniform  in  shape,  and 
extend  obliquely  upwards,  towards  the  middle  of  the  forehead. 

What  is  the  nature  of  the  faculty  connected  with  this 
organ? 

Locality  takes  cognizance  of  the  relative  positions  of 
objects;85  it  bestows  a  great  aptitude  for  remembering  places 


85  "  An  individual  well  known  in  London  by  the  name  of  '  Memory- 
Corner  Thomson,'  is  remarkable  for  an  astonishing  local  memory.  In  the 
space  of  twenty-four  hours,  and  at  two  sittings,  he  drew  a  correct  plan  of 
the  whole  parish  of  St.  James,  with  several  streets"  belonging  to  the  parishes 
of  Marylebone,  St.  Ann,  and  St.  Martin.  This  plan  contained  all  the 
squares,  streets,  lanes,  courts,  passages,  markets,  churches,  chapels,  public 
buildings,  houses,  stables,  angles  of  houses,  and  a  great  number  of  other 
objects,  as  wells,  parapets,  stones,  trees,  &c,  and  an  exact  plan  of  Carlton 
House  and  St.  James'  Palace.  He  executed  all  this  without  the  aid  of  any 
plan,  without  compasses,  without  books,  or  any  other  data.  He  made  out 
also,  from  memory,  an  exact  plan  of  the  parish  of  St.  Andrew,  and  he 
offered  to  do  the  same  with  that  of  St.  Giles  in  the  fields,  St.  Paul,  Covent 
Garden,  St.  Clement,  and  Newchurch.  If  a  particular  house  in  any  given 
street  was  mentioned,  he  would  at  once  tell  what  trade  was  carried  on  in  it, 
the  position  and  appearance  of  the  shop,  and  its  contents.  Ingoing  through 
a  large  hotel,  completely  furnished,  he  is  able  to  retain  every  thing,  and 
make  an  inventory  from  memory;  but  a  dialogue,  on  the  other  hand,  that 
he  may  have  heard,  even  two  or  three  times,  will  be  quite  new  to  him  in  the 
course  of  two  or  three  days."—  PhrenologicalJournal,  vol.  iv.  p.  356. 


132  LOCALITY. 

where  we  have  once  been,  and  a  fondness  for  travelling, 
Persons  who  have  it  large  seldom  lose  their  way,  and  when 
they  have  once  been  at  a  place,  can  return  to'it  with  peculiar 
facility. 

In  what  class  of  persons  is  the  organ  large  ? 

In  distinguished  voyagers  and  travellers,  such  as  Colum- 
bus, Vasco  de  Gama,  Captain  Cook,  and  Mungo  Park;  and, 
accordingly,  in  the  likenesses  of  these  eminent  men,  it  ap- 
pears amply  developed.  It  is  large,  also,  in  great  geo- 
graphers and  astronomers,  such  as  Malte  Brun,  Kepler, 
Galileo,  Tycho  Brahe,  and  Newton.  Authors  who  describe, 
and  artists  who  delineate  scenery  well,  have  also  a  good 
development.  It  appears  large  in  Julius  Caesar,  Michael 
Angelo,  Tasso,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  Professor  Wilson,  Breugel 
the  landscape-painter,  and  M,  Jaubert,  Professor  of  Oriental 
Languages  at  the  Bibliotheque  du  Roi,  whose  passion  for 
travelling  is  excessive.  In  the  sketch  of  Pope  Martin,  page 
122,  the  organ  is  seen  to  be  greatly  developed.  It  is  large 
in  the  American  Indians,  and  other  nomadic  tribes;  and  it 
appears  highly  probable,  that  the  continued  exercise  to  which 
it  is  subjected  in  these  people,  actually  increases  its  size. 

Have  the  lower  animals  the  faculty  f 

Yes.  Dogs,  by  means  of  Locality,  trace  their  steps 
homewards,  even  for  hundreds  of  miles.  The  same  faculty 
it  is  which  directs  birds  in  their  periodical  migrations,  and 
the  carrier-pigeon  in  its  extensive  flights.  The  way,  how- 
ever, in  which  it  acts  in  the  lower  animals,  is  often  very 
obscure,  and,  indeed,  perfectly  inexplicable.  A  dog,  for 
instance,  has  been  sent  many  hundred  miles  by  sea,  and  has 
returned  over  land  to  the  very  spot  at  which  it  embarked. 
There  have  not  been  awanting  instances  where  the  faculty 
has  operated  on  the  human  subject  in  a  somewhat  similar 
way,  and  without  the  concurrence  of  sight.  Metcalf,  the 
blind  traveller,  was  an  instance  of  the  kind.     This  remark- 


133 


able  man,  If  once  in  a  place,  could  readily  find  his  way  back 

a^iiin  :  indeed,  we  every  day  observe  blind  men  walking 
alone,  and  in  peifeet,  safety,  through  lite  most,  crowded  Streets, 

guided,  doubtless,  in  their  gloomy  path,  by  the  mysterious 
influence  <>!'  Locality5,8* 

What  arc  (he  abuses  of  Locality? 

An  excessive  tendency  to  ramble  about,  and  a  total  inca- 
pacity for  remaining  long  in  one  place.     This  is  sometimes 

so  Strong,  as  almost,  t.o  amount;  to  a.  disease.  Such  was  the 
Case  with  the  Abbe  Dabrowki  of  Prague,  in  whoso  head  the 
Organ  Of  Locality  was  enormously  targe.  Dr.  Gall  met:,  one 
day,  at  Vienna,  a  woman,  in  whom  the  development  was  so 
gT&ttt  as  to  amount  to  a  deformity.  In  her,  also,  the 
pa.sssion  lor  rambling  and  visiting  foreign  countries  was 
extreme. 

28f    NU  mi:  r.it. 

Describe  the  situation  and function  of  this  on/an. 

It  lies  at  the  external  angle  of  the  eye,  and  when  large, 
swells  out  the  frontal  bone  at  that  particular  spot,  and  like- 
wise, occasionally,  giyefa  the  outer  extremity  of  the  eyebrow 

an  overhanging  and  dropping  appearance.    The  function 

connected  with  it.  is  that  which  <;ives  the  power  of  arithme- 
tical calculation.    Great  differences  exist  among  individuals 

86  "  U  is  common,1'  says    Ml.  John    Alston,   in  his  Keport  of    the    Blind 

Asylum  at  Glasgow,  "for  adults  who  reside  In  distant  parts  of  the 'city  to 

eome  to  their  employment  without  a  guidOt  In  farther  proof  of  their  eapiU 
bility  of  walkin:;  without  an  assistant,  a  youn^'  hoy  of  fourteen  years  ol 
Bge,  WhOSfl  parents  resided  six  miles  from  (iluagow,  was  in  Ihe  habit  ol 
Halting  them.  He  was  accustomed  to  leave  the  establishment  without  an 
attendant,  traverse  the  w  hole  length  of  the  city,  finding  his  way  through  the 

caifon,  Bridgeton,  along  Rutherglen  bridge,  through  that  town  and  to  his 

father's  house.  This  he  did  with  as  much  correctness  as  if  he  had  heen  in 
full  possession  of  vision."  1  jun  farther  informed  by  the  teacher  of  the 
asylum,  himself  an  intelligent  blind  man,  that ;  one  of  the  inmates  actually 
walked,  without,  a  guide,  as  far  as  his  native  place  Nlrafhaveu,  a.  distance 
from  (ilaseovv  ol  seventeen  miles. 


134 


NUMBER. 


as  respects  the  strength  of  this  faculty.  Some  men  can  solve, 
with  little  effort,  the  most  difficult  questions  in  arithmetic: 
others  can  hardly  manage  the  simplest,  let  them  labour  as 
they  please. 

Mention  a  few  individuals  remarkable  for  a  large  deve- 
lopment of  the  organ. 

Zerah  Colburn,  the  American  calculating  boy,  George 
Bidder,  and  Jedediah  Buxton — all  of  them  distinguished  for 
their  extraordinary  arithmetical  talents,  are  instances  in 
point.  The  same  remark  applies  to  Playfair,  Leslie,  Inigo 
Jones,  Wren,  Hutton,  Euler,  and  Kepler:  and  these  distin- 
guished men  were  all  remarkable  for  the  extent  to  which 
they  possessed  the  computative  faculty.  The  annexed 
likeness  of  Jedediah  Buxton  represents  the  appearance  often 
presented  by  a  large  development  of  the  organ.87 


87  Some  calculating-  boys  lose  their  arithmetical  talent  when  they  grow 
up.  Such  was  the  case  with  a  relative  of  my  own,  who  at  the  age  of  seven 
possessed  great  natural  capabilities  in  this  way,  but  in  four  or  five  years  he 


NUMBER.  135 

Is  this  organ  larger  in  some  nations  than  in  others  ? 

It  is.  In  the  Negro  and  Esquimaux  head  the  organ  is 
small,  and  these  people  are  generally  very  deficient  in 
arithmetical  talent.  Humboldt  mentions,  that  the  Chaymas, 
a  South  American  tribe,  have  great  difficulty  in  comprehend- 
ing any  thing  which  belongs  to  numercial  relation.  He 
says,  that  he  never  saw  a  man  among  them  who  might  not 
be  made  to  say  that  he  was  eighteen  or  sixty  years  of  age; 
and  he  adds,  that  the  corner  of  the  eye  is  sensibly  raised  up 
towards  the  temple.  Wafer  observed  the  same  remarkable 
want  of  calculating  power  among  the  Indians  at  the  Isthmus 
of  Darien. 

May  this  faculty  coexist  vigorously  with  a  weak  general 
intellect  f 

This  may  undoubtedly  happen.  The  best  arithmetician 
I  ever  knew  was  a  man  of  a  very  feeble  understanding;  and 
even  idiots  are  sometimes  excellent  computists.  Knowing 
this  fact,  it  is  very  wrong  to  accuse  people  of  being  dull  or 
stupid,  merely  because  it  so  happens  that  they  are  incapable 
of  learning  arithmetic.  Some  men  of  distinguished  talent 
cannot  even  master  the  multiplication-table;  and  one  of  the 
first  phrenologists  and  philosophical  writers  of  the  present 
day  is  so  deficient  in  the  computative  faculty  as  to  be  unable 
to  add  up  his  own  cash-book.  In  Dr.  Gall,  likewise,  this 
talent  was  exceedingly  feeble.  Fossati  observes,  that  he 
never  saw  him  master  a  process  in  simple  multiplication  or 
division  that  was  at  all  complicated. 


lost  them,  and  is  now  a  very  indifferent  calculator.  Zerah  Colbnrn,  too,  ig 
an  instance  of  the  same  kind.  "  Previous  to  the  wonderful  manifestations 
of  arithmetical  power  exhibited  by  young  Colburn,  he  had  been  afflicted  with 
chorea,  and  was  at  the  time  very  nervous,  and  sometimes  evidently  suffered 
pain  when  called  on  to  exhibit  his  powers ;  and  when  he  recovered  his 
healthhelost  hi3  extraordinary  calculating-  powers.  "—Practical  Phrenology, 
by  Silas  Jones,  Boston,  1836 — I  have  little  doubt  that  Colburn 's  organ  of 
Number  was  overworked,  and  thus  rendered  apathetic. 


136 


Will  a  large  organ  of  Number  make  a  person  a  good 
mathematician® 

No  :  other  faculties  are  necessary,  although  Number  is  a 
very  useful  one.  It  was  thought,  that  some  calculating 
boys,  from  the  force  of  their  arithmetical  powers,  would  have 
excelled  in  mathematics,  but  the  result  did  not  correspond 
with  the  anticipation.  As  mathematics  treat  of  configura- 
tion and  space  or  dimension,  as  well  as  of  number,  the 
organs  of  Form  and  Size  are  indispensable  to  eminence  in 
that  department. 

Is  this  faculty  possessed  by  animals? 

The  point  has  never  been  correctly  ascertained.  Some 
philosophers  imagine  that  the  magpie  possesses  the  power 
of  computation  to  a  certain  extent.  Le  Roy,  for  instance, 
supposes,  that  the  creature  counts  three,  while  Dupont  de 
Nemours  extends  its  talents,  in  this  respect,  as  far  as  nine. 
Such  assertions,  however,  must  be  based  on  little  better  than 
conjecture.88 

29.   ORDER. 

Where  is  this  organ  situated? 

It  lies  between  Colouring  and  Number,  and  is  marked  20 
in  the  bust. 

What  is  its  function? 

To  bestow  a  love  of  order  and  arrangement.  When  the 
organ  is  very  large,  there  is  a  punctilious  nicety  about  the 
manner  in  which  things  are  placed,  and  the  order  in  which 
they  are  done.  The  person  is  annoyed  by  confusion,  and 
apt  to  be  dainty  and  finical.  He  is  an  ardent  admirer  of 
the  well  known  maxims,  "  Say  every  thing  in  its  proper  way; 

88  It  is  said  that  a  dog-  must  have  this  faculty,  because  it  discovers  if  one 
of  its  young  has  been  removed;  but  this,  as  Spurzheim  remarks,  it  may  per- 
ceive from  the  want  of  the  individual  so  carried  away,  without  counting  the 
number  of  the  whole. 


EVENTUALITY.  137 

pat  every  thing  in  its  proper  place;  and  do  every  thing  in  its 
proper  time."  His  minute  love  of  arrangement  is  not  less 
annoying  to  those  in  whom  the  faculty  is  feeble,  than  their 
want  of  systematic  regularity  is  to  him.  When  the  faculty 
is  weak  the  reverse  is  the  case,  and  there  is  a  marked 
indifference  to  order  and  arrangement.  Confusion  and 
want  of  neatness  give  no  annoyance  :  the  person  is  apt  to  be 
careless  in  his  dress,  disorderly  in  his  household,  and,  unless 
his  Conscientiousness  be  strong,  unpunctual  to  appointments. 

To  what  class  of  persons  is  a  large  organ  of  Order  espe- 
cially useful? 

To  the  mistress  of  a  family,  and  particularly  to  domestic 
servants :  it  is  essential  to  keepers  of  museums,  to  gardeners, 
and  all  who  have  the  charge  of  establishments  of  any  kind. 

Is  the  organ  large  in  authors  distinguished  for  the  pre- 
cision and  order  of  their  writings  f 

Not  necessarily:  its  powers  seem  to  be  confined  to  phy- 
sical arrangement.  Causality  and  Comparison  are  the 
chief  systematizers.  Such  authors  as  Linnaeus  and  Cuvier, 
were  indebted  to  these  organs,  and  not  to  the  one  under 
review,  for  their  great  power  of  classification. 

30.    EVENTUALITY. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ. 

It  lies  in  the  centre  of  the  forehead,  above  Individuality; 
and  gives  the  power  of  recollecting  events  and  phenomena. 
Books  that  abound  in  incident,  such  as  Don  Quixote, 
Robinson  Crusoe,  Gulliver's  Travels,  and  Roderick  Random, 
are  characterised  by  marked  Eventuality;  and  persons  who 
have  the  faculty  strong,  will  remember  vividly  the  occur- 
rences related  in  such  works.  These  persons  are  considered 
clever,  in  the  common  meaning  of  the  term  :  they  pick  up  a 
knowledge  of  events  readily,  although  it  may  so  happen  that 


13S  EVENTUALITY. 

they  are  perfectly  unable  to  reason  thereupon,  or  turn  it  to 
any  proper  use. 

Does  Eventuality  assist  in  acquiring  a  language  ? 

No;  but  it  will  enable  us  to  recollect  any  particular  events 
recorded  in  that  language.  The  power  of  acquiring  lan- 
guages depends  on  a  special  organ. 

What  does  inquisiiiveness  depend  upon  ? 

Upon  Eventuality  and  Individuality  in  excess,  generally 
combined  writh  Wonder.  If  Secretiveness  is  conjoined, 
the  inquisitive  tendency  will  be  still  greater. 

Will  a  person  with  large  Eventuality  y  be  necessarily 
inquisitive  ? 

Not  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the  term,  which  is 
usually  employed  to  designate  a  species  of  impertinence. 
If  his  reflecting  powers  be  deficient,  he  wrill  be  apt  to  show 
a  meddling,  inquisitive  turn  about  paltry  matters;  if  strong, 
he  will  despise  this,  and  direct  the  faculty  to  the  acquisition 
of  really  useful  knowledge.  Still,  it  is  the  same  power  at 
work,  only  in  the  one  case  employed  about  trifles,  in  the 
other  on  matters  of  importance. 

From  what  does  gossip  arise  ? 

From  large  Eventuality  and  Language,  with  small  Secre- 
tiveness. The  person  has  a  great  craving  to  know  every 
thing  which  is  going  on,  and  an  equally  great  craving  to 
divulge  it:  he  is  constantly  talking  of  the  affairs  of  his 
neighbours.  Gossips  have  almost  always  small  brains,  and 
are  destitute  of  a  liberal  education.  A  large-brained  and 
well  educated  person,  despises  the  paltry  habit  of  retailing 
all  the  chit-chat  which  he  hears,  and  is  not  likely  to  become 
addicted  to  this  vice.  Self-Esteem  is  often  strongly  manifested 
by  gossips,  who  are  generally  envious,  jealous  creatures. 

Illustrate  by  some  examples  the  difference  between  Indivi- 
duality and  Eventuality. 

Individuality  concerns  itself  with  what  exists,  Eventuality 


TIME.  139 

with  what  happens,  Substantive  nouns  express  the  objects 
of  the  former,  active  verbs  those  of  the  latter.  When  I  say 
that  Lord  John  Russel  is  a  little  man,  that  the  Duke  of 
Wellington  has  a  Roman  nose,  or  that  camels  have 
humps  upon  their  backs,  it  is  Individuality  which  suggests 
these  remarks :  when,  however,  I  observe  that  after  being 
challenged  by  Sir  Robert  Peel,  Mr.  O'Connell  contrived  to 
get  himself  arrested,  and  then  made  a  vow  in  heaven  never 
to  fight  duels;  that  the  Houses  of  Parliament  were  burned 
in  consequence  of  overheating  the  flues;  or  that  Earl 
Spenser  rears  the  fattest  cattle  in  England,  then  the  obser- 
vations are  suggested  by  Eventuality.  We  may  in  another 
manner  exhibit  the  operation  of  the  two  faculties.  If  I 
see  a  sportsman  standing  in  a  field  with  his  gun  levelled, 
an  object  is  presented  to  my  Individuality.  If  he  draws  the 
trigger,  discharges  the  gun,  and  kills  a  bird,  these  are  all 
occurrences  or  events  in  the  process  of  active  operation, 
and  are  recognised  by  Eventuality. 

3L   TIME. 

Where  is  the  organ  of  Time  situated  f 

In  the  middle  region  of  the  forehead,  on  each  side  of 
Eventuality.  It  is  not  considered  to  be  fully  established, 
but  the  existence  of  the  faculty  is  sufficiently  manifest. 

What  talent  depends  upon  the  organ  ? 

The  perception  of  duration,  or  time.  It  enables  those  who 
are  well  endowed  with  it,  to  keep  time  in  dancing  and  in 
music,  lo  judge  accurately  of  the  intervals  which  elapse 
between  given  periods,  and  to  conjecture  the  hour  of  the  day 
with  comparative  precision,  without  consulting  the  clock  :  it 
is  essential  to  good  versification.  People  differ  in  all  these 
particulars,  and  the  differences  depend  on  the  degree  in  which 
they  are  gifted  with  this  organ. 


140 


TUNE. 


Mention  some  other  ways  in  which  Time  may  manifest  itself. 

In  the  accuracy  with  which  a  regiment  of  soldiers  fires  at 
the  word  of  command;  or  goes  through  the  manual  and 
platoon  exercise,  by  observing  the  movements  of  the  fugle- 
man. In  those  who  keep  bad  time  in  performing  such  exer- 
cises the  faculty  is  feeble.  It  is  also  feeble  in  those  who 
acquire  with  difficulty  the  art  of  dancing,  and  the  same  remark 
applies  to  bad  timists  in  music. 

32.    TUNE. 

Where  does  this  organ  lie  ? 

In  the  lateral  portion  of  the  forehead,  outside  of  Time, 
and  immediately  above  Order  and  Number.     The  position 


of  the  organ  is  shown  in  the  annexed  portrait  of  Handel, 
in  whose  head  it  was  greatly  developed. 


TUNE.  141 

What  function  is  connected  with  it? 

The  feeling  for  music,  and,  when  accompanied  with  Time, 
Imitation,  &c,  the  talent  for  playing  on  instruments,  or  singing 
with  skill  and  success.  It  is  large  in  all  who  have  a  decided 
musical  genius,  such  as  Gliick,  Weber,  Rossini,  Malibran, 
Catalani,  and  Pasta.89 

Is  it  confined  to  the  human  species? 

No  :  birds  have  the  organ  and  its  accompanying  faculty. 
It  is  distinctly  marked  in  the  nightingale,  the  thrush,  the 
linnet,  and  other  singing  birds.  It  is  larger  in  the  head  of 
the  male  singing  bird  than  in  the  female,  which  accounts 
for  the  superior  power  of  song  possessed  by  the  former.  In 
birds  which  do  not  sing,  it  is  not  similarly  developed.  If  we 
compare  the  head  of  the  hawk,  the  crow,  or  the  eagle,  with 
those  of  the  tribe  of  songsters,  the  difference  will  at  once 
appear  obvious  in  the  region  of  Tune. 

May  not  the  inability  of  certain  birds  to  sing,  depend  upon 
the  unsuitable  organization  of  the  throat? 

This  objection  has  no  force;  because  whenever  nature  has 
bestowed  the  talent  for  any  thing,  she  has,  at  the  same  time, 
endowed  the  animal  with  the  apparatus  for  exercising  that 
talent.  If  the  raven  had  the  cerebral  organization  of 
the  nightingale,  nature,  which  does  nothing  in  vain,  would 
have  given  it  the  vocal  apparatus  for  song.90     The  hawk  is 

89  "The  faculty  gives  the  perception  of  melody;  but  this  is  only  one 
ingredient  in  a  genius  for  music.  Time  is  requisite  to  give  a  just  perception 
of  intervals,  Ideality  to  communicate  elevation  and  refinement,  and  Secre- 
tiveness  and  Imitation  to  produce  expression;  while  Constructiveness, 
Form,  Weight,  and  Individuality,  are  necessary  to  supply  mechanical  expert- 
ness:— qualities  all  indispensable  to  a  successful  performer.  Even  the 
largest  organ  of  Tune  will  not  enable  its  possessor  to  play  successfully  on 
the  harp,  if  Weight  be  deficient;  the  capacity  of  communicating  to  the 
string  the  precise  vibratory  impulse  requisite  to  produce  each  particular  note 
will  then  be  wanting."—  Combe's  System,  4th  edition,  vol.  ii.  p.  533. 

90  An  ingenious  friend  has  stated  in  objection  to  this,  that  some  men 
have  great  musical  talent,  and  yet  cannot  sing  well,  for  want  of  good  voice. 


142  TUN'E. 

a  ferocious,  sanguinary  animal,  and  it  is  armed  accordingly 
with  formidable  claws,  and  a  powerful  beak,  wherewith  to 
exercise  its  particular  instincts.  Of  what  use  would  such 
armoury  be  to  a  timid  creature  like  the  dove?  or  what  would 
the  hawk  be,  were  it  weaponless  like  the  dove?  In  such  a 
case,  the  lust  for  blood  and  thirst  for  destroying,  which  have 
been  bestowed  for  the  purpose  of  gratification,  would  be 
unaccompanied  with  any  means  of  carrying  these  intentions 
of  nature  into  effect. 

Is  there  any  reason  to  suppose*  that  the  British  will  ever 
equal  the  Germans  and  Italians  in  music? 

None.  The  organ  in  the  British  head  is  decidedly  smaller, 
so  that,  although  an  individual  may  now  and  then  arise, 
capable  of  contesting  the  palm  with  the  Haydns,  the  Ros- 
sinis,  and  the  Handels,  still,  as  a  people,  they  can  never 
compete  with  these  nations  in  musical  talent.  It  is  a  common 
remark  that  their  deficiency  of  talent  for  music,  is  owing  to 
the  taste  for  this  accomplishment  never  having  been  suffi- 
ciently cultivated  in  Great  Britain :  but  why  has  it  not  been 
so  cultivated?     Simply  because  the  British  are  not  emi- 


Such  an  objection,  however,  is  more  specious  than  solid.  The  chief  purpose 
of  voice  is  speech,  and  man  is  not,  like  the  nightingale,  merely  a  singing 
animal,  or,  like  the  hawk,  merely  an  animal  formed  for  destructive  pur- 
poses. Supposing  a  man  to  have  a  good  development  of  Tune,  together 
with  an  indifferent  voice,  it  cannot  be  said  that  his  musical  talent  is  thrown 
away  upon  him,  and  that,  because  he  cannot  sing,  he  cannot  turn  it  to  good 
purpose.  Man  has  faculties  which  have  enabled  him  to  invent  and  construct 
instruments,'  from  which  he  draws  music  far  surpassing  in  sublimity  and 
beauty,  that  of  his  own  voice.  I  am  not  aware  that  Weber  or  Beethoven 
could  sing  well ;  yet  what  exquisite  delight  did  not  these  men  derive  from 
their  organ  of  Tune,  and  what  wonderful  works  did  it  not  stimulate  them 
to  produce  ?  Another  consideration  is,  that  while  birds,  by  living  in  accord- 
ance with  the  laws  of  nature,  have  their  functions,  and  among  others  the 
voice,  in  a  comparatively  perfect  condition,  man,  whose  unnatural  mode  of 
life,  and  disregard  of  these  laws,  have  tended  much  to  injure  his  capabilities, 
does  not  generally  enjoy  that  perfection  of  the  vocal  power,  which,  had  he 
acted  in  accordance  with  the  organic  laws,  he  probably  would  have  possessed. 


TUNE.  143 

nently  musical.  If  the  national  talent  lay  decidedly  in  this 
particular  walk,  they  would  naturally  cultivate  it,  and  be 
able  to  cope  with  the  Germans  and  Italians. 

Would  you  expect  the  organ  large  in  every  good  per- 
former on  a  musical  instrument? 

No.  A  fair  development,  aided  by  an  active  tempera- 
ment and  great  perseverance,  may  make  a  very  good 
performer  indeed;  but  one  of  the  highest  order,  such  as 
Paganini,  requires  an  ample  organ  of  Tune.  To  eminent 
original  composers,  as  Mozart,  Haydn,  and  Auber,  a  large 
development  is  indispensable.91 

On  what  do  differences  of  taste  in  music  depend? 

On  the  state  of  the  other  organs.  A  person  whose 
Veneration  and  Tune  are  both  large,  will  naturally  prefer 
sacred  music :  large  Combativeness  and  Tune  will  induce  a 
preference  to  martial  music,  and  so  on. 

Is  the  organ  of  Tune  fully  established  ? 

The  facts  in  support  of  it  are  so  numerous,  that  this  ap- 
pears to  be  the  case.  The  discrimination  of  the  size  of  the 
organ  is,  however,  so  difficult,  that,  except  in  cases  of 
extreme  development  or  deficiency,  mistakes  are  frequently 
committed  in  estimating  it.  This  is  particularly  the  case 
with  sciolists  in  Phrenology,  who  are  disposed  to  make  a 
display  of  their  skill  more  frequently  with  regard  to  this 


91  A  lady  incidentally,  and  without  any  reference  to  Phrenology,  in- 
formed me,  that  her  female  servant  could  not  distinguish  one  tune  from 
another,  although  her  hearing  was  perfect.  She  farther  mentioned,  as  a 
curious  circumstance,  that  the  woman  was  constantly  committing  mistakes 
when  the  bells  rung,  as  she  was  unable  to  distinguish  the  door  bell  from  the 
dining-room  one,  although  every  other  person  in  the  family  could  do  so 
with  ease,  so  very  different  were  the  tones  of  the  two  bells.  On  examining 
the  woman's  head,  I  found  the  organ  of  Tune  remarkably  deficient,  there 
being  a  flatness,  or  rather  a  depression  in  the  site  of  the  organ.  I  took  a 
cast  of  her  forehead,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  museum  of  the  Edinburgh 
Phrenological  Society. 


144 


LANGUAGE. 


organ,  than  in  relation  to  any  other.  In  judging  of  musical 
talent,  unless  great  attention  is  paid  to  the  training  which 
the  organ  has  received,  error  is  very  apt  to  be  committed. 
Temperament,  also,  has  a  most  important  effect;  and  it 
ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  that  many  persons  sing  and  per- 
form respectably,  from  little  else  than  Imitation  and  practice. 


33.    LANGUAGE. 

What  external  sign  indicates  a  good  endowment  of  Lan- 
guage ? 

Prominence  of  the  eyes,  or  their  depression  vertically. 
This  arises  from  the  position  of  the  organ  on  the  posterior 
and  transverse  part  of  the  upper  orbitary  plate,92  immedi- 
ately over  the  eye.  When  the  organ  is  large,  this  plate  is 
necessarily  lower  than  in  other  cases,  and  the  eyes  are  thus 
pushed  forward  and  downward.  In  the  sketch  here  given 
of  Van  Swieten's  head,  we  have  a  good  idea  of  a  large 
development  of  Language. 


92  The  orbitary  plates  are  portions  of  the  frontal  bone,  from  which  they 
go  off  backwards  at  right  angles,  forming  a  roof  to  the  eye,  and  supporting 
the  anterior  lobes  of  the  brain. 


LANGUAGE.  145 

What  talent  depends  on  this  organ? 
That  of  verbal  memory.  The  person  has  a  great  knack 
at  recollecting  words :  he  acquires  languages  with  facility, 
learns  readily  by  heart,  and  is  generally  a  great  talker. 
When  Imitation  is  large,  the  power  of  pronouncing  a 
foreign  tongue  after  the  manner  of  the  natives  is  greatly 
increased.  When  small,  the  individual  may  easily  acquire 
the  language,  and  speak  it  with  grammatical  accuracy,  but 
his  pronunciation  will  be  defective.  Some  people  who 
have  an  admirable  talent  for  acquiring  languages,  can  never 
pronounce  them  well,  owing  to  feebleness  in  the  imitative 
faculty. 

May  a  person  be  eminent  as  a  linguist,  and  yet  not  re- 
markable for  the  prominency  of  his  eyes  f 

He  may;  and  hence  mistakes  are  now  and  then  committed 
by  the  inexperienced.  If  the  organs  of  Locality,  Weight, 
Size,  Colouring,  and  Order,  be  very  large,  and  the  eye- 
brows full  and  overhanging,  the  eyes  will  appear  much  less 
prominent  than  in  other  circumstances. 

Do  prominent  eyes  always  indicate  talkativeness  or  verbal 
memory  ? 

Always,  except  when  the  prominency  is  occasioned  by 
fat,  as  is  sometimes  the  case  with  corpulent  people,  especially 
if  they  be  of  dissipated  habits.  These,  however,  are  merely 
exceptions  to  a  well  established  general  rule. 

Why  do  very  ordinary  men  often  surpass  at  school,  those 
who  prove  much  their  superiors  in  after  life  f 

This  generally  arises  from  their  possessing  a  good  de- 
velopment of  Language,  Individuality,  and  Eventuality, 
especially  the  first.  Men  of  great  talent  are  often  only 
moderately  endowed  with  Language,  while  people,  other- 
wise common-place,  have  frequently  the  faculty  in  great 
perfection.  **  When  the  doctrines  of  Phrenology  come  to 
be  generally  understood,  the  admiration  excited  by  the 


146  LANGUAGE. 

possession  of  a  great  number  of  dead  and  foreign  languages 
will  be  much  diminished.  It  will  then  be  considered  merely 
as  evidence  of  a  large  organ  of  Language,  and  as  no  evi- 
dence of  superior  general  talents."94 

What  happens  when  the  organ  is  large  ? 

The  person  is  a  formidable  linguist,  or  most  insufferable 
talker,  perhaps  both.  People  of  this  sort  have  an  absolute 
pleasure  in  hearing  themselves  speak.  They  are,  literally, 
talking-machines,  and  are  rendered  uncomfortable  if  not 
allowed  to  indulge  in  their  favourite  occupation.  Their 
style  of  writing  and  speaking  is  apt  to  be  diffuse,  and 
destitute  of  condensation :  they  can  scribble  whole  pages,  and 
talk  by  the  hour,  about  absolutely  nothing. 

What  results  from  a  small  development? 

Difficulty  in  acquiring  languages;  hence  indifferent  scholar- 
ship; a  want  of  facility  in  expression,  and  a  disposition  to 
be  taciturn.  The  writings  of  such  persons  contain  hardly  a 
useless  word,  so  that  they  are  often  more  valuable  and 
interesting  than  the  works  of  the  other  class. 

Mention  a  few  eminent  persons  in  whom  the  organ  was 
large? 

Swift,  Haller,  Leibnitz,  Cobbett,  and  Edmund  Burke. 
It  appears  large  in  the  likenesses  of  Milton,  who  was  a  distin- 
guished scholar,  and  a  great  master  in  his  native  language 
— witness  "Paradise  Lost,"  which,  as  a  piece  of  mere  verbal 
composition,  and  without  reference  to  the  sublimity  of  its 
ideas,  is,  perhaps,  the  most  perfect  work  of  modern  times. 

Is  the  organ  of  Language  ever  unnaturally  excited  f 
In    fever,    mania,    and    drunkenness,    this    sometimes 
happens;  the  consequence  of  which  is  an  inordinate  propen- 
sity to  talk,  although  the  person  may  be,  at  other  times,  very 
taciturn.     There  have  been  instances,  where,  from  the  ex- 

94  Silas  Jones'  Phrenology. 


COMPARISON.  147 

citement  of  the  organ  during  the  delirium  of  fever,  a  language 
learned  in  early  life,  but  afterwards  forgotten,  has  been 
recalled,  so  that  the  person  could  speak  it  fluently,  only, 
however,  to  be  forgotten  so  soon  as  the  excitement  by  which 
it  had  been  resuscitated  wore  away.  Cases  where  the 
memory  of  Languages  is  lost,  from  disease  of  this  organ,  are 
numerous.95 

GENUS  III.— REFLECTIVE  FACULTIES. 

What  is  the  nature  of  the  Reflective  faculties  ? 

To  produce  the  quality  of  reasoning  or  reflection.  They 
compare  one  thing  with  another,  and  trace  the  relation 
subsisting  between  effects  and  their  causes. 

34.    COMPARISON. 

Where  is  this  organ  situated? 

In  the  centre  of  the  upper  region  of  the  forehead,  imme-> 
diately  above  Eventuality. 

What  is  the  nature  of  its  faculty? 

It  enables  us  to  trace  resemblances  and  perceive  analogies, 
•  Homer  compares  the  eloquence  of  Ulysses  to  the  soft  falling 
of  the  snow,  flakes,  and  naturalists  speak  of  the  analogy 


95  I  know,  a  case  of  this  kind.  A  literary  gentlemen  was  actively 
employed  for  some  months  in  the  compilation  of  a  French  and  English 
dictionary.  He  performed  his  laborious  task,  but,  at  the  end  of  it,  so  com- 
pletely had  his  organ  of  Language  been  overworked  by  its  long  continued 
exertions,  that  he  actually  lost  the  memory  of  words.  His  knowledge  of 
Greek,  Latin,  and  French,  which  was  very  extensive,  vanished  from  his 
mind,  nor  did  he  recover  it  till  the  energy  of  the  exhausted  organ  was 
restored  to  its  wonted  power,  by  being  allowed  to  rest.  Some  years  ago, 
when  labouring  under  a  fever,  accompanied  with  violent  cerebral  action,  I 
lost,  for  some  days,  to  a  considerable  extent,  the  memory  of  words,  although 
in  all  other  respects,  the  mind  was  perfectly  sound.  If  I  wished  a  draught 
of  water,  I  knew  the  thing  wanted,  but  could  not  name  it. 


148  COMPARISON. 

subsisting  between  the   animal   and  vegetable   kingdoms. 
It  is  the  organ  in  question  which  associates  these  objects  or 
qualities    together,   and   traces   similitude   between   them. 
Persons  in  whom  it  is  large  will  trace  a  resemblance  or 
affinity  between  objects  or  events  which  would  entirely  elude 
the  observation  of  others  with  a  smaller  endowment.     It  is 
the  well  from  which  gushes  forth  figurative  language;  the 
grand  fountain  of  similes,  metaphors,  and  analogies.     John 
Bunyan  likens  the  christian's  progress  to  that  of  a  traveller 
in  a  dangerous  country;  death  he  represents  as  like  the 
passage  over  a  river  from  one  country  to  another.     In  the 
scriptures,  Christ  is  compared  to  the  brazen  serpent  which 
Moses  lifted  up,  and  which  was  a  remedy  to  the  Israelites 
for  the  wounds  inflicted  by  serpents.     The  universities  have 
been  compared  to  beacons  moored  in  the  stream  of  time, 
which  serve  only  to  mark  the  rapidity  with  which  the  tide  of 
improvement  flows  past  them.     An  author  who  arrives  at 
the  end  of  a  dry  dissertation,  of  which  he  is  heartily  tired, 
and  is  about  to  commence  the  discussion  of  an  agreeable 
subject,  likens  himself  to  a  traveller  who  has  long  toiled 
through  a  barren  and  disgusting  track,  and  at  length,  after 
much  labour,  has  reached  the  summit  of  an  eminence  from 
which  he  looks  back  on  the  country  where  his  toils  were* 
endured,  and  sees  before  him  with  gladness  the  inviting 
territory  now  to  be  traversed.     The  life  of  a  wicked  man 
flows  like  a  polluted  stream.     A  beautiful  woman  without 
virtue  is  like  a  painted  sepulchre.     As  iron  sharpeneth  iron, 
so  is  the  face  of  a  man  to  his  friend.     The  people  which  sat 
in  darkness  saw  a  great  light.     Frail  man !  his  days  are  like 
the  grass.     The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  a  mustard  seed. 
All  the  foregoing  similitudes  and  analogies  are  the  result  of 
Comparison. 

Does  this  faculty  take  cognizance  of  all  kinds  of  com- 
parisons ? 


COMPARISON.  149 

No.  Each  intellectual  faculty  compares  in  matters  strictly 
relating  to  itself.  Thus,  Form  compares  forms,  Colour- 
ing colours,  Size  magnitudes,  Tune  the  modulations  of 
sound,  &c.  When  Milton  speaks  of  Satan  standing  "  like  Tene- 
riffe  or  Atlas  unremoved,"  or  likens  his  shield  to  the  full 
moon,  it  is  Form  that  suggests  the  resemblance,  and  not  Com- 
parison. The  province  of  the  latter  is  to  perceive  analogies 
between  objects  falling  under  the  cognizance  of  two  different 
faculties,  between  ideas  in  themselves  essentially  different. 
When  Coleridge,  for  instance,  addresses  Mont  Blanc  as  a 
kingly  spirit  throned  among  the  hills,  he  does  so  under  the 
influence  of  the  present  faculty.  If  we  hear  music,  it  is 
Tune  which  compares  the  different  notes  and  judges  of  their 
harmony  or  discord;  but  if  we  contrast  together  tunes  and 
colours,  if  we  say  that  the  sober  livery  of  Autumn  is  like  a 
strain  of  plaintive  music,  it  is  then  the  faculty  of  Comparison 
which  is  brought  into  play. 

Does  the  organ  determine  the  nature  of  the  similes  which 
we  employ? 

No.  This  depends  upon  our  other  faculties.  Thus,  a 
person  whose  Tune  is  very  powerful  will  draw  similitudes 
from  music;  another,  with  ample  Colouring,  will  deduce  them 
from  the  hues  of  nature,  &c;  a  third,  with  Constructiveness 
well  developed,  may  have  recourse  to  comparisons  from 
the  steam  engine.  The  present  organ,  therefore,  although 
it  gives  the  talent  and  the  aptitude  for  indulging  in  similes, 
metaphors,  and  analogies,  gives  no  farther.  The  character  of 
these  is  determined  by  other  powers. 

In  what  class  of  people  may  we  expect  to  find  the  organ 
large  ? 

In  popular  poets,  orators,  preachers,  and  philosophical 
writers.  'In  them  the  faculty  is  highly  useful,  from  the 
abundant  supply  of  imagery,  and  the  wide  and  varied  range  of 
illustration  which  it  affords.  It  appears  large  in  Kant,  Pitt,  and 


150 


COMPARISON. 


Dr.  Chalmers,  and  remarkably  in  Mr.  Thomas  Moore,  v:hose 
prolific  power  of  comparison,  as  displayed  in  "  Lalla  Rookh," 
"  The  Loves  of  the  Angels,"  and  other  poems,  is  unsurpassed, 
or  rather  unequalled.  Roscoe,  Henry  IV.  Goethe,  Burke, 
and  Curran,  show  a  large  development.  The  same  remark 
applies  to  La  Fontaine,  the  celebrated  fabulist;  and,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Gall,  children  in  whom  the  comparative  faculty  is 
strong,  prefer  fables  to  every  other  kind  of  instruction.  The 
organ  is  better  developed  in  some  nations  than  in  others. 
It  is  generally  large  in  the  Hindoo  head,  and  the  figurative 
character  of  the  language  of  that  people  has  long  been 
proverbial.96 


Kant. 


9G  In  a  gentleman  whose  case  is  related  in  the  36th  number  of  the  Phreno- 
logical Journal,  the  activity  of  Comparison  is  so  strong,  that  it  prompts  him 


151 


35.    CAUSALITY. 

Describe  the  position  and  function  of  this  organ  f 

It  lies  in  the  forehead,  on  each  side  of  Comparison,  and 
the  purpose  served  by  it  is  to  give  the  idea  of  connexion 
between  cause  and  effect.  He  who  is  well  endowed  with  it 
and  Comparison,  possesses  a  severe  and  logical  intellect : 
he  traces  results  from  their  origin,  and  is  a  sound  reasoner. 
Men  of  this  stamp  are  never  shallow;  they  constitute  the 
profound  thinkers  so  rarely  to  be  met  with  in  society. 

Is  this  a  valuable  faculty? 

With  the  exception  of  Conscientiousness*  it  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  valuable  of  the  whole  series.  It  is  the  faculty  on 
which  mainly  depends  the  intellectual  greatness  of  Locke, 
Bacon,  Gall,  and  other  illustrious  names.     The  organ  was 


to  compare  names  with  physical  objects :— Thus,  the  words  Combe,  Cox, 
and  Simpson,  resemble  the  following  figures : — 


IX 


rywi 

Combe.  Cox.  Simpson. 

He  has  also  an  irresistible  tendency  to  compare  sounds  with  colour. 
When  a  musical  instrument  is  played,  one  tone  seems  to  him  to  resemble 
blue,  another  green,  another  purple,  and  so  on.  When  this  individual  was 
attending  Dr.  Gall'3  lectures  in  Paris,  some  years  ago,  the  Doctor  was  so 
struck  with  the  appearance  of  the  organ  of  Comparison  in  his  forehead, 
that  he  pointed  it  out  to  his  class,  as  an  instance  of  great  development, 
having,  at  the  moment,  no  knowledge  whatever  of  the  person,  or  the  degree 
in  which  he  was  endowed  with  the  comparative  faculty.  I  know  a  gentle, 
man  who  has  the  same  tendency  to  compare  sounds  and  colours,  and  these 
are  the  only  two  I  have  ever  met  with.  A  case  is  related  of  a  blind  boy, 
who,  on  being  asked  what  like  the  colour  of  scarlet  was,  replied,  that  it 
resembled  the  sound  of  a  trumpet.  In  this  instance,  it  is  possible  that  the 
association  of  ideas  may  have  arisen  from  the  boy  being  informed  that 
soldiers  wore  scarlet  coats,  and  that  the  trumpet  was  employed  to  call  them 
together. 


15*2  CAUSALITY. 

very  large  in  the  heads  of  these  great  men.  Kant,  Dr. 
Thomas  Brown,  Fichte,  Mendelsohn,  and  indeed,  all  men  of 
eminently  philosophical  minds,  exhibit  an  ample  development 
of  it.  The  frontispiece  is  an  accurate  likeness  of  the  great 
founder  of  the  phrenological  system,  in  whose  mind  the 
faculty  under  consideration  was  a  predominating  feature. 
The  forehead  is  finely  developed,  Language,  Imitation, 
Causality,Comparison,  and  Benevolence  are  very  conspicuous. 
It  is  the  head  of  a  man  of  high  intellect,  much  decision  of 
purpose,  and  great  nobleness  of  disposition. 

To  what  pursuits  does  the  organ  in  question  lead? 

To  abstract  philosophical  studies  in  general.  A  strong 
love  of  logic  and  metaphysics  is  one  of  its  tendencies;  indeed, 
no  person  can  be  great  as  a  reasoner  without  it. 

Is  it  necessary  in  the  physical  sciences  f 

As  necessary  there  as  in  the  moral.  Individuality  gives 
us  cognizance  of  existences,  and  Eventuality  of  occurrences, 
but  it  is  Causality,  joined  with  Comparison,  wThich  enables 
us  to  reason  upon  them,  and  turn  them  to  proper  use.  The 
organ  is  large  in  the  heads  of  Playfair,  Cuvier,  Guy  Lussac, 
and  other  eminent  natural  philosophers.  Great  reflecting 
intellect,  however,  does  not  seem  to  be  necessary  for  mathe- 
matical excellence.97 

Is  Causality  necessary  for  historical  writing? 

Eminently  so.  Without  this  faculty,  history  would  be  a 
mere  series  of  details,  without  dependence  or  connexion. 
The  springs  which  moved  the  different  personages,  and 
promoted  the  different  events,  would  never  be  investigated, 
and  the  whole  work  would  present  a  series  of  effects  without 


97  It  is  a  common  notion  that  mathematics  strengthens  the  reasoning 
powers.  The  erroneousness  of  this  opinion  is  very  successfully  charac- 
terized by  Mr.  Combe.  See  the  fourth  edition  of  his  System  of  Phrenology, 
vol.  ii.  p.  503.  The  reflecting*  intellect  of  some  distinguished  mathema- 
ticians has  been  by  no  means  remarkable.    Ex.  Gr.  Sir  John  Leslie. 


CAUSALITY.  153 

any  suitable  causes.  The  works  of  all  great  historians,  such 
as  Gibbon,  Hume,  Robertson,  display  a  rich  vein  of  Causality; 
nor  can  it  be  doubted,  that  in  the  heads  of  these  eminent 
men  the  organ  was  amply  developed. 

Is  it  necessary  for  poetry? 

No;  but  poetry  is  vastly  improved  by  the  interfusion  of  a 
philosophic  spirit  derived  from  Causality.  The  faculty 
reigned  in  the  sublime  intellects  of  Milton  and  Shakspeare, 
and  prevails  every  where  through  their  mighty  works.  There 
is  a  great  deal  of  Causality  in  the  writings  of  Pope,  Dryden, 
and  Wordsworth :  it  gives  a  philosophic  hue  to  poetry,  with- 
out impairing  its  imaginative  character. 

Does  a  person  with  distinguished  reasoning  powers  always 
appear  great  in  general  society? 

No.  Men  with  good  perceptive,  or  knowing  organs,  often 
appear  to  much  greater  advantage  than  those  with  the  higher 
powers  of  mind  conferred  by  eminent  reflective  faculties. 
A  shallow,  smart  person,  would  be  thought  far  more  highly 
of  by  the  bulk  of  mankind,  than  a  Kant,  a  Bacon,  or  a 
Spurzheim.  Brilliant  men  are  not  often  profound :  the  cir- 
cumstance, indeed,  of  a  person  appearing  very  great  in  a 
miscellaneous  company,  may  generally  be  taken  as  an  evi- 
dence that  his  reflective  faculties  are  not  of  a  very  high  order. 

What  is  the  cause  of  this  ? 

The  reflective  faculties  of  men,  in  general,  are  not  strong, 
and  they  can  neither  appreciate  nor  comprehend  profound 
reasoning.  Good  perceptive  organs  being  more  common, 
their  manifestations  are  easily  understood,  and  better  relished; 
whence  quick,  but  shallow  men,  strike  the  common  mind 
more  forcibly  than  deep  thinkers,  and  are  more  likely  to 
succeed  in  the  common  affairs  of  life.98 


98  Great  intellects  require  great  occasions  to  appear  advantageously.  A 
smart,  superficial,  talkative,  polite  man,  with  a  fund  of  anecdote,  much 
plausibility,  and  of  a  money-making  turn,  may  prove  more  successful  as  a 

G    2 


154  CAUSALITY. 

What  happens  when  Causality  is  small  ? 

In  this  case  the  arguments  of  such  persons  are  illogical 
and  inconsecutive.  They  experience  great  difficulty  in 
tracing  effects  from  their  causes,  and  are  incapable  of  any 
thing  like  deep  and  connected  reasoning.  From  their  feeble 
appreciation  of  the  force  of  evidence,  it  is  extremely  difficult 
to  convince  such  persons  of  the  truth  of  Phrenology. 

What  are  the  abuses  of  Causality  f 

An  excessive  tendency  to  metaphysical  speculations,  to 
the  neglect  of  the  practical  pursuits  of  life.  Kant  seems 
an  instance  of  the  abuse  of  this  faculty.  He  is  very  often 
profound,  but  speculative  and  abstract,  and  often  unintel- 
ligible. In  his  head,  the  reflective  organs  greatly  predomi- 
nate over  all  others.  Causality,  however,  is  far  less  likely 
to  be  abused  than  any  other  faculty,  if  we  except  Benevo- 
lence and  Conscientiousness. 

Has  Causality  any  influence  on  the  formation  of  religious 
belief? 

A  very  important  influence,  not  inferior,  perhaps,  to  that 

tradesman,  than  one  whose  intellectual  calibre  is  of  a  far  higher  grade. 
Supposing  Shakspeare,  Locke,  and  Newton,  to  be  associated  together  as 
linen-drapers,  it  is  very  evident  that  the  firm  would  soon  become  bankrupt. 
Not  one  half  of  the  faculties  of  the  partners  finding  occupation  in  this 
business,  they  would  be  irresistibly  led  to  direct  them  into  some  channel 
where  they  would  meet  with  the  requisite  exercise.  Instead  of  serving 
customers,  and  keeping  a  sharp  look  out  upon  expenditure  and  receipts, 
each  member  of  the  concern  would  be  occupied  in  such  a  manner  as  to  en- 
sure its  speedy  ruin.  We  may  conceive  Shakspeare,  while  presiding  over 
the  ledger,  taking  a  flight  to  the  court  of  Macbeth,  or  fleeting  with  Ariel 
or  Titania  upon  the  clouds ;  Locke,  while  purchasing  goods,  sadly  perplexed 
with  the  doctrine  of  innate  ideas  j  and  Newton,  in  the  act  of  measuring  off 
a  yard  of  linen,  absorbed  in  calculating  the  dimensions  of  a  planet.  The 
business,  in  short,  would  straightway  go  to  wreck,  and  the  illustrious  trio 
of  would-be-drapers  figuring  in  the  Gazette.  The  predominating  faculties 
always  demand  gratification,  and  it  is  wrong  to  bring  up  a  man  of  great 
powers  of  mind  to  any  pursuit  which  does  not  permit  of  their  being  safely 
indulged.  Many  men  of  superior  talent  make  bad  shop-keepers,  who  would 
have  excelled  as  physicians,  barristers,  or  divines— these  professions  giving 
ampler  scope  to  the  higher  faculties  of  the  mind  than  a  mere  trade. 


CAUSALITY.  155 

of  Veneration  and  Wonder.  Causality,  enlightened  by 
knowledge,  leads  mankind  to  infer  a  presiding  First  Cause, 
from  the  marks  of  wisdom  and  design  which  every  where 
present  themselves  in  the  material  universe.  Veneration 
prompts  to  revere  the  Being  whose  existence  is  thus  in- 
ferred: while  Wonder  is  the  source  of  that  astonishment 
and  admiration  with  which  we  contemplate  His  existence 
and  attributes. 


156 


THE  TEMPERAMENTS. 

What  is  meant  by  the  temperaments  ? 

The  temperaments  are  certain  states  of  constitution  which 
are  found  to  have  a  great  effect  on  the  energy  and  activity 
of  the  brain,  and  system  in  general. 

How  are  the  temperaments  classified? 

The  pure  temperaments  are  four  in  number,  the  Lym- 
phatic, the  Sanguine,  the  Bilious,  and  the  Nervous,  but  they 
are  often  found  in  combination;  thus  we  have  the  Sanguine- 
Lymphatic,  the  Nervous-Bilious,  the  Bilious-Nervous,  the 
Nervous-Sanguine,  &e.  Sometimes  even  three  tempera- 
ments are  united,  and  then  we  have  the  Nervous-Sanguine- 
Bilious,  the  Nervous-Sanguine-Lymphatic,  and  so  on." 

What  are  the  characteristics  of  the  pure  temperaments  ? 

In  the  Lymphatic,  the  body  is  full,  the  flesh  soft  and 
flabby,  the  hair  and  complexion  pale,  the  eyes  expression- 
less, the  pulse  slow,  and  the  person  indolent,  inanimate, 
loutish,  and  insipid.  In  the  Sanguine,  the  hair  is  red  or  of 
a  light  chesnut  tinge,  the  countenance  florid,  the  eyes  blue 
and  sparkling,  the  muscles  large  and  tolerably  firm,  and  the 
spirits  lively  and  boisterous.  The  Bilious  is  characterized 
by  dark  hair  and  coarse  skin.  The  muscles  are  less  than  in 
the  Sanguine,  but  harder,  and  there  is  little  fat.  Altogether, 
this  temperament  possesses  much  energy,  and  is  the  best 
for  sustaining  the  system  under  great  and  long  protracted 


99  We  place  the  name  of  the  predominating  temperament  first.  For  in- 
stance, the  Nervous- Bilious  implies  that  the  former  preponderates,  and  the 
Bilious- Nervous  the  reverse.  We  often  say,  that  a  person  is  60  Bilious, 
and  40  Nervous,  or  80  Sanguine,  and  20  Lymphatic,  &c,  to  give  some  idea 
of  the  proportions  which  he  possesses  of  each  temperament. 


TEMPERAMENTS.  157 

efforts.100  The  Nervous  temperament  is  distinguished  by 
fine  silky  hair,  pale  complexion,  small  muscles,  sharp  fea- 
tures, and  often  delicate  health.  It  is  the  most  excitable 
and  sensitive  of  all  the  temperaments;  but  its  efforts,  though 
rapid  and  vivacious,  are  soon  exhausted.101 

What  is  the  character  of  the  mixed  temperaments  ? 

This  depends  upon  that  of  the  pure  ones  out  of  which 
they  are  formed;   thus  the   Nervous-Bilious  combines  in 


100  This  temperament  is  improperly  named.  There  is  no  connexion 
whatever  between  it  and  an  excess  of  bile,  as  might  be  inferred  from  its 
denomination,  and  as  was  ignorantly  supposed  by  the  ancients.  The  term 
Fibrous  more  distinctly  indicates  its  character,  and  by  this  name  it  ought 
to  be  known. 

101  "  Who,"  says  Cobbett,  in  the  third  letter  of  his  «  Advice  to  Young 
Men,*  is  to  tell  whether  a  girl  will  make  an  industrious  woman?  How  is 
the  purblind  lover,  especially,  to  be  able  to  ascertain  whether  she  whose 
smiles,  and  dimples,  and  bewitching  lips,  have  half  bereft  him  of  his  senses ; 
how  is  he  to  be  able  to  judge,  from  any  thing  that  he  can  see,  whether  the 
beloved  object  will  be  industrious  or  lazy?  Why,  it  is  very  difficult." 
"  There  are,  however,  certain  outward  signs,  which,  if  attended  to  with 
care,  will  serve  as  pretty  sure  guides.  And  first,  if  you  find  the  tongue 
lazy,  you  may  be  nearly  certain  the  hands  and  feet  are  the  same.  By 
laziness  of  the  tongue,  I  do  not  mean  silence ;  I  do  not  mean  an  absence  of 
talk,  for  that,  in  most  cases,  is  very  good ;  but  I  mean  a  slow  and  soft  utter- 
ance ;  a  sort  of  sighing  out  of  the  words,  instead  of  speaking  them ;  a  sort 
of  letting  the  sounds  fall  out  as  if  the  party  were  sick  at  stomach.  The 
pronunciation  of  an  industrious  person  is  generally  quick  and  distinct,  and 
the  voice,  if  not  strong,  firm  at  least.  Not  masculine;  as  feminine  as 
possible :  not  a  croak  nor  a  bawl,  but  a  quick,  distinct,  and  sound  voice." 
"  Look  a  little  also  at  the  labours  of  the  teeth,  for  those  correspond  with 
the  other  members  of  the  body,  and  with  the  operations  of  the  mind." — 
"  Get  to  see  her  at  work  upon  a  mutton  chop,  or  a  bit  of  bread  and  cheese, 
and  if  she  deal  quickly  wath  these,  you  have  a  pretty  good  security  for  that 
activity,  that  stirring  industry,  without  which  a  wife  is  a  burden  instead 
of  a  help."  'c  Another  mark  of  industry  is  a  quick  step,  and  a  somewhat 
heavy  tread,  showing  that  the  foot  comes  down  with  a  hearty  good  will." 
"  I  do  not  like,  and  I  never  liked,  your  sauntering,  soft-stepping  girls,  who 
move  as  if  they  wrere  perfectly  indifferent  to  the  result." 

The  above  is  an  excellent  illustration  of  the  difference  between  the  Lym- 
phatic and  the  more  active  temperaments.  It  is  sketched  by  the  hand  of  a 
master,  and  truth  has  guided  every  stroke  of  the  pencil. 


158  TEMPERAMENTS. 

itself  the  qualities  of  the  Nervous  and  the  Bilious,  and  so 
of  the  others. 

What  temperament  is  most  likely  to  be  found  in  combi- 
nation with  each  other  ? 

Those  which  most  clearly  resemble  each  other  are  the 
most  likely  to  be  united :  hence  the  Lymphatic  and  San- 
guine, and  the  Nervous  and  Bilious  often  go  together. 
Sometimes,  however,  we  find  the  most  dissimilar  in  combi- 
nation. 

The  state  of  the  brain,  then,  is  influenced  by  the  prevail- 
ing temperament  ? 

So  much  so,  that  in  inferring  character,  the  temperament 
requires  always  to  be  taken  into  consideration.  Supposing 
a  lymphatic  person  to  possess  the  same  size  and  shape  of 
brain  as  a  bilious  one,  he  will  manifest  far  less  energy  and 
activity  of  mind. 

What  does  this  arise  from  ? 

The  brain,  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  body,  partakes 
of  the  functional  energy  or  inactivity  communicated  by  the 
temperament.  In  the  Lymphatic,  for  instance,  the  blood 
being  sent  with  little  energy  to  the  brain,  that  viscus  is 
naturally  torpid  in  its  actions.  In  the  Sanguine  and  the 
Bilious,  the  reverse  is  the  case :  the  pulse  is  stronger  and 
quicker,  a  proof  of  the  greater  activity  of  the  circulating 
system;  and  hence  the  brain  is  more  vigorously  stimulated, 
receiving  from  this  smart  passage  of  the  blood  through  it 
superior  activity  and  power  of  function. 

Does  the  torpor  of  the  Lymphatic  temperament  depend 
solely  on  inactivity  of  circulation  ? 

It  is  considered  that  it  may  also,  in  a  great  measure,  arise 
from  the  blood  being  of  a  more  watery  description  than  in 
the  other  varieties.  At  least,  it  is  well  known,  that  in  the 
Lymphatic  there  is  a  great  predominance  of  the  glandular 
system,  and  of  the  aqueous  secretions. 


TEMPERAMENTS.  159 

Does  quality  of  brain  correspond  with  the  excellence  of 
the  temperament  f 

There  is  reason  to  suppose  that  it  does.  The  texture  of 
the  cerebral  system  is  conjectured  to  be  very  fine  in  the 
Nervous  temperament,  and  the  reverse  in  the  Lymphatic.102 

Does  dissection  demonstrate  this  f 

In  all  likelihood  it  would  do  so,  although  the  subject  has 
not  yet  been  sufficiently  attended  to  by  anatomists  to  enable 
us  to  speak  decidedly.  This  much  is  certain,  that  the 
texture  of  the  skull  is  influenced  by  the  prevailing  tempera- 
ment, being  fine  and  compact  in  the  Nervous,  coarse  and 
open-grained  in  the  Lymphatic.  Moreover,  the  muscles 
are  firm  in  the  former,  and  flabby  in  the  latter. 

Do  particular  temperaments  prevail  more  in  some  nations 
than  in  others  f 

Yes.  The  Lymphatic  predominates  greatly  among  the 
Dutch,  and  to  a  considerable  degree  among  the  Germans. 
The  prevailing  temperament  in  France  is  the  Nervous,  or, 
perhaps,  the  Nervous-Bilious.  The  Sanguine  seems  to 
prevail  among  the  Swedes  and  Norwegians,  and,  combined 
with  the  Nervous,  among  the  Irish. 

What  is  the  temperament  of  genius  f 

The  Nervous  and  Bilious,  or  a  mixture  of  them,  are  in  a 

102  "  Long. continued  observation  has  led  us  to  consider  it  as  a  general 
rule,  that  one  inherent  quality  characterizes  the  various  organs  composing 
an  individual  human  body;  in  other  words,  that  if  the  bones  be  dense  and 
firm,  and  the  muscles  compact  and  vivacious,  the  other  organs  of  the  body 
partake  of  the  excellent  quality,  and  the  brain,  among  the  rest,  is  capable 
of  vigorous  action.  When  the  expression  of  the  countenance  is  animated 
and  refined,  an  active  and  vivacious  brain  is  seldom,  if  ever,  wanting." — 
PhrenologicalJournal,  vol.  viii.  p.  595.— (We  see  the  influence  of  tempera- 
ment on  the  lower  animals.  The  bones  of  the  racer  are  much  more  com- 
pact than  those  of  the  draught  horse,  the  muscles  are  also  firmer  and 
tougher,  and  the  animal  possesses  that  mingled  vivacity  and  capability  for 
continued  exertion,  which  exist  in  persons  well  endowed  with  the  Bilious 
and  the  Nervous  temperaments.  In  sluggish  animals,  such  as  the  cow,  the 
hog,  &c,  Lymphatic  very  decidedly  predominates.) 


160  TEMPERAMENTS. 

particular  manner  the  temperaments  of  genius.  Great 
genius,  however,  may  accompany  the  Sanguine  tempera- 
ment. Such  is  the  case  with  Professor  Wilson.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  conceive  a  purely  lymphatic  person  of  distinguished 
genius. 

Give  illustrations  of  some  of  the  temperaments. 

The  temperament  of  Pope,  Voltaire,  Keats,  Kirke  White, 
and  Cowper,  was  evidently  pure  Nervous — that  of  Milton 
probably  a  mixture  of  the  Nervous  and  Bilious — that  of 
Shakspeare  and  Raphael,  of  the  Nervous  and  Sanguine — 
and  that  of  Julius  Csesar,  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  Wellington, 
of  the  pure  Bilious.  Alcibiades  and  Achilles  seem  to  have 
been  illustrations  of  the  pure  Sanguine,  and  Benjamin 
Franklin  of  the  Sanguine-Bilious.  The  temperament  of 
Gall  was  Bilious-Nervous,  that  of  Spurzheim  Nervous-San- 
guine-Lymphatic. These  facts  we  infer  from  what  we 
know  of  the  individuals  by  their  actions  and  writings,  and 
by  their  portraits,  where  these  exist. 

Have  mental  exertion  and  age  any  modifying  influence 
on  temperament  f 

They  have.  Great  exercise  of  the  brain  has  a  tendency 
to  eradicate  the  Lymphatic  to  a  considerable  extent.  Such 
was  the  case  with  Dr.  Spurzheim.  By  incessant  intellectual 
labour  he  rendered  himself  much  less  lymphatic  than  he 
originally  was,  and  never  got  very  stout,  although  his  natu- 
ral tendency  wTas  towards  embonpoint.  His  sisters,  on  the 
other  hand,  who  possessed  brains  very  inferior  to  his,  and 
who  never  exerted  them,  became  excessively  corpulent  and 
indolent.  In  Spurzheim,  the  great  size  of  brain,  combined 
with  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Nervous,  and  some  degree 
of  the  Sanguine  temperament,  kept  him  intellectually  very 
active,  and  contributed  to  mitigate  the  lymphatic  influence. 
Age,  again,  has  a  tendency  to  induce  the  latter.  People 
who  showed  little  or  none  of  it  when  young,  often  exhibit 


TEMPERAMENTS.  161 

it  when  they  get  towards  middle  or  advanced  life,  becoming 
then  full-bodied  and  indolent,  and  indisposed  to  either  cor- 
poreal or  mental  exertion.103 

Does  not  this  doctrine  of  the  temperaments  throw  great 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  predicating  character? 

It  does  not ;  for  a  knowledge  of  quality  of  brain  is  as 
much  one  of  the  phrenological  conditions,  as  that  of  quantity. 
A  true  phrenologist  always  calculates  the  effect  which  tem- 
perament produces,  seeing  that  on  this  the  quality  of  the 
cerebral  texture  seems  chiefly  to  depend.  In  estimating 
the  strength  of  two  men,  wre  do  not  judge  absolutely  by  their 
size :  the  one  who  is  least  in  dimensions,  may  yet  possess 
the  greatest  energy  in  his  muscular  system.  If,  however, 
the  muscles  of  the  large  man  are  not  only  bulkier,  but  of 
equal  quality  as  respects  firmness  and  stamina,  he  must 
needs  be  the  more  athletic  of  the  two.  Other  things  being 
equal,  the  larger  the  muscles  or  brain,  the  greater  will  be 
the  power  possessed  by  them.  A  large  lymphatic  brain 
will  display  more  vigour  than  a  small  one,  although  less 
than  that  of  a  brain  acted  on  by  more  energetic  tempera- 
ments, i 


103  "  We  have  heard  it  remarked  by  an  acute  traveller,  that  the  Lym- 
phatic temperament,  indicated  by  coarse  fair  hair,  plump  and  inexpressive 
countenance,  and  languid  eyes,  with  the  attendant  dulness  and  coarseness  of 
mind/greatly  predominates  among  the  lower  orders  in  the  northern  countries 
of  Europe  j  while  dark  hair  and  dark  eyes,  or  fine  flaxen  hair,  and  clear 
vivacious  blue  eyes,  indicative  of  the  Bilious  and  Nervous  temperaments, 
are  much  more  common  among  the  higher  classes  in  the  same  regions ;  and 
that  the  proportions  of  the  Bilious  and  Nervous  temperaments  to  the  Lym- 
phatic, increase  as  the  degrees  of  latitude  decrease." — Phrenological  J ov/rnal3 
vol.  vii.  p.  412. 


162 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

What  faculties  first  display  themselves? 

The  propensities,  with  one  exception — that  of  Amative- 
ness,  which  is  the  organ  that  last  manifests  the  faculty- 
belonging  to  it. 

Do  the  Perceptive  or  the  Reflective  organs  act  earliest? 

The  perceptive:  children  soon  begin  to  notice  objects,  but 
a  long  time  elapses  before  they  can  reason  upon  them,  or 
trace  their  relations.104 

Are  the  organs  generally  contiguous  whose  functions  bear 
some  resemblance  ? 

They  are.  Thus  Causality  and  Comparison,  which  have 
a  strong  analogy  in  their  functions,  are  contiguous.  The 
same  is  the  case  with  Ideality  and  Wonder,  with  Time  and 
Tune,  with  Combativeness  and  Destructiveness,  with  Adhe- 
siveness and  Philoprogenitiveness,  and  so  on.     This  curious 


104  "  The  reflecting  faculties,  observes  Dr.  Caldwell,  "are  never  power- 
fully manifested  at  a  very  early  period  of  life.  The  knowing  or  perceptive 
ones  alone  are,  at  times,  inordinately  vigorous  in  infancy.  Hence,  none  of 
the  precocious  geniuses  that  appear  excite  astonishment  by  their  reasoning 
powers.  They  are  distinguished  in  music,  numbers,  drawing,  painting, 
modelling,  and  language ;  but  not  in  any  thing  that  depends  on  depth  of 
reflection  j  such  as  general  philosophy,  political  economy,  or  abstract  meta- 
physics. In  these  latter  branches  of  science  precocious  geniuses  rarely 
attain  eminence  at  any  period  of  their  lives.  Nature  would  seem  to  have  so 
exhausted  her  resources  in  giving  unwarranted  luxuriance  in  them  to  the 
knowing  organs  of  the  brain,  as  to  have  but  little  left  to  bestow  on  the 
reflecting  ones  which  come  to  maturity  at  a  later  period.  Hence,  it  has 
passed  almost  into  a  proverb  that '  early  geniuses  who  are  men  among  boys 
are  apt  to  be  afterwards  boys  among  men.'  Infant  Rosciuses  are  mere 
mimics  and  verbalists,  their  organs  of  Imitativeness  and  Language  being 
inordinately  developed  j  and  they  seldom  ,'go  beyond  mimicry  during  their 
lives.  We  recollect  no  instance  of  an  infant  Koscius  becoming  an  adult 
one." —Annals  of  Phrenology,  vol.  i.  p.  61. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  163 

collocation  of  parts  bearing  a  functional  resemblance,  is  a 
strong  presumptive  evidence  in  confirmation  of  phrenology. 

Are  the  faculties  always  affected  in  the  same  manner? 

They  are  not.  They  may  be  affected  painfully  or  the 
reverse  according  to  circumstances.  If  I  see  a  generous 
action  performed,  my  Benevolence,  supposing  it  to  be 
full,  is  agreeably  excited,  and  gratification  is  the  result: 
an  act  of  cruelty,  on  the  other  hand,  affects  it  painfully, 
and  produces  a  disagreeable  feeling.  Conscientiousness  is 
gratified  by  honesty,  and  shocked  by  knavery;  Adhesive- 
ness is  delighted  in  the  society  of  a  beloved  friend,  and 
pained  by  his  absence  or  death.  Acquisitiveness  receives 
gratification  from  wealth,  and  is  hurt  by  its  loss.  Objects 
of  beauty  please  Ideality;  squalid,  filthy,  disgusting  objects 
pain  it.  The  faculties,  therefore,  may  be  affected  in  two 
ways.  Their  agreeable  affection  constitutes  pleasing;  their 
disagreeable,  painful  emotions  of  the  mind. 

Is  the  exercise  of  any  of  the  faculties  pernicious? 

This  depends  upon  whether  the  degree  in  which  they  are 
exercised  amounts  to  an  abuse.  All  the  faculties  are  in 
themselves  good,  if  legitimately  employed.  The  Creator 
endowed  us  with  the  whole  of  them  that  they  might  be  ra- 
tionally gratified;  and  any  man  who  affirms  that  even  a 
single  one  ought  to  be  utterly  stifned  or  blotted  out,  as  it 
were,  from  the  human  mind  is,  in  reality,  offering  an  insult 
to  the  Divine  Being  by  whom  that  mind  was  created.  Some 
well-meaning,  but  unenlightened  persons,  imagine  that  such 
innocent  occupations  as  dancing,  music,  mirth,  and  theatrical 
representations  are  offensive  in  the  eyes  of  God.  Now 
what  is  the  tendency  of  this  allegation,  but  to  charge  the 
Almighty  with  creating  a  number  of  useless  or  improper 
faculties?  We  have  organs  of  Tune  and  Time,  which 
inspire  the  love  of  music  and  dancing,  and  induce  us  to  visit 
concerts  and  balls.     We  have  an  organ  of  Wit  whose  func- 


164  MISCELLANEOUS   QUESTIONS. 

tion  is  to  give  rise  to  mirthfulness.  We  have  one  of  Ideality, 
which  communicates  poetic  rapture,  and  experiences  grati- 
fication in  the  magnificent  performances  of  a  Siddons,  a 
Talma,  or  a  Kean.  If  we  do  not  allow  the  passion  for  these 
amusements  to  go  to  excess :  if  we  indulge  it  moderately, 
avoiding  abuse  of  the  faculties  from  whence  it  springs,  we  are 
not  only  not  doing  what  is  morally  wrong,  but  we  are  doing 
what  is  positively  right,  in  so  far  as  we  thus  obey  a  rational 
and  beneficial  impulse  implanted  in  our  minds  by  the  author 
of  nature,  and  wisely  intended  for  our  good.  Dancing, 
music,  poetry,  and  theatrical  representations  of  a  moral 
character,  when  had  recourse  to  in  the  intervals  of  more 
urgent  and  laborious  pursuits,  have  an  excellent  effect  on 
the  brain.  They  innocently  and  agreeably  stimulate  the 
different  organs,  especially  those  of  the  Sentiments  and 
Intellect,  and  their  tendency,  instead  of  being  pernicious,  is 
highly  favourable  to  virtue.  What  would  be  thought  of  the 
sanity  of  that  man  who  proposed  that  the  eyes  should  be 
perpetually  blindfolded,  and  the  ears  stuffed  with  cotton, 
because  we  may  misemploy  the  former  in  wilfully  witnessing 
scenes  of  cruelty,  or  the  latter  in  listening  to  obscene  songs 
or  profligate  conversation.  Those  who  proscribe  the  legiti- 
mate gratification  of  any  of  the  faculties  are  acting  a  part 
equally  foolish. 

What  is  the  cause  of  mental  precocity? 

It  has  its  origin  in  premature  development  or  excitement 
of  the  intellectual  organs.  The  source  of  such  prematurity, 
however,  is  rather  obscure,  but  it  seems  to  be  connected  in 
general  with  a  high  Nervous  Temperament.  Lymphatic 
or  Bilious  children  are  seldom  precocious.  Precocity  is 
peculiarly  common  among   the   scrofulous,  rickety,  105  and 


105  An  American  physician,  Dr.   Brigham,  has  published  a  little  work 
entitled  "  Remarks  on  the  influence  of  Mental  Cultivation  and  Mental 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  165 

consumptive.  These  states  of  constitution  are  accompanied 
with  an  irritable  state  of  frame,  which  extends  its  influence 
to  the  brain,  and  thus  causes  a  premature  manifestation  of 
its  functions. 

Why  do  precocious  children  generally  turn  out  very  ordin- 
ary as  adults  f 

It  is  a  law  of  nature,  that  when  an  organ  is  vehemently 
exercised,  before  acquiring  full  consistency  and  strength,  its 
functions  become  impaired.  A  horse  sent  to  the  turf  very 
young  has  its  constitution  often  ruined,  and  the  same  is  the 
case  with  youthful  prize-fighters  and  recruits.  The  brain  is 
no  exception  to  the  general  rule. 

Ought  the  mind  of  a  child  who  exhibits  marks  of  early 
genius,  to  be  much  exercised? 

Quite  the  reverse.  We  ought  to  consider  the  brain  of 
such  a  child  as  in  a  state  of  unnatural  excitement  bordering 
on  disease;  and  if  it  be  fond  of  thinking  or  studying  much, 
the  habit  ought  rather  to  be  checked  than  encouraged.  If 
we  work  the  brain  much,  it  is  ten  to  one  that  it  gets  diseased, 
and  the  child  is  either  cut  off  early,  or  lives  to  be,  for  ever 
after,  a  very  common-place  person,  perhaps  a  blockhead. 
Hydrocephalus,  or  water  in  the  head,  is  sometimes  produced 
in  children  by  over-exertion  of  the  brain. 
Does  the  same  rule  apply  to  dull  children  ? 

Not  so  powerfully.  The  minds  of  these  children  ought  to 
be  exercised,  so  as  to  give  health  to,  and  stimulate  the  brain; 
they  need  the  spur  instead  of  the  bridle.  Even  here,  how- 
ever, there  is  a  limit  which  it  is  dangerous  to  transgress. 
The  brain  of  no  child  whatever  ought  to  be  much  worked; 
moderate  exercise  is  all  that  should  be  attempted.     Very 

Excitement  on  Health,"  which  throws  a  flood  of  light  upon  this  important 
subject.  It  has  been  reprinted,  with  many  additional  notes,  by  Messrs. 
Reid  &  Co.  Booksellers  in  Glasgow,  and  ought  to  be  read  by  every  parent 
and  teacher  of  youth. 


166  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

great  evils  result  from  school  education  being  too  severe  and 
too  early  begun. 

How  happens  it  that  dull  children  often  prove  very  clever 
as  adults  ? 

From  the  fact,  that  in  some  individuals  the  intellectual 
organs  are  slow  of  reaching  maturity,  either  from  late  growth 
or  late  excitement.  Some  minds  are  very  late  of  being 
evolved.  Gessner  the  Swiss  Poet  was,  at  the  age  of  ten 
years,  declared  by  his  preceptors  incapable  of  any  attain- 
ment; and  Swift,  Thomson,  Sir  Walter  Scott,  and  Dr. 
Johnson,  were  very  dull  lads.  Massillon,  Byron,  Gibbon, 
and  Voltaire,  exhibited  in  boyhood  and  youth  no  indications 
of  more  than  ordinary  talent;  while  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
according  to  his  own  account,  ranked  very  low  in  the  school 
till  the  age  of  twelve,  when  his  superior  powers  began  to 
develop  themselves.  Persons  in  whom  the  reflective  organs 
predominate  over  the  perceptive,  are  more  likely  to  be  con-* 
sidered  dull  in  youth,  than  when  there  is  an  opposite  con- 
figuration of  brain;  the  former  reflective  organs,  as  already 
mentioned,  being  longer  of  attaining  maturity  of  action  than 
the  others. 

From  what  parent  do  children  chiefly  derive  their  qualities  $ 

In  colour  and  form,  the  father,  if  these  are  in  him  very 
strong,  transmits  a  greater  share  of  his  qualities,  apparently 
because  he  is  frequently  before  the  mother,  and  thus  im- 
presses her  strongly  with  the  idea  of  them;  but  in  giving 
temperament  and  shape  of  brain,  the  mother's  influence 
seems  to  be  the  greatest.  Hence  a  clever  woman  and  an 
ordinary  man,  are  more  likely  to  have  talented  children 
than  the  converse.  Men  of  genius  generally  marry  dull 
women — hence  their  children  are  often  dull.106     Another 


106  If  both  parents  are  talented,  there  is  every  chance  of  the  children 
being  so.     The  union  of  Godwin  and  Mary  Wolstoncroft,  produced  Mrs. 


MISCELLANEOUS   QUESTIONS.  167 

reason  is,  that  such  men  frequently  infringe  the  organic  laws, 
by  overworking  their  brains,  and  not  studying  the  rules  of 
health  sufficiently:  defective  brains  are  in  this  way  trans- 
mitted to  their  children.107 

Why  are  the  first-born  of  parents  who  marry  very  young, 
generally  inferior  in  intellect  and  morality  to  those  that  come 
afterwards  f 

Parents  communicate  their  qualities  of  brain  to  offspring. 
In  young  parents,  the  activity  of  the  propensities  is  greater, 
and  that  of  the  intellect  and  moral  sentiments  less  than  at 
a  later  period.  A  child  produced  at  a  time  when  the  cere- 
bral system  of  its  father  and  mother  is  in  this  immature 
state,  partakes  of  the  defect,  and  retains  it  through  life.108 
Those  produced,  when  the  intellect  and  moral  feelings  are 
brought  into  more  vigorous  operation,  naturally  enjoy  the 


Shelley,  the  distinguished  author  of  Frankenstein;  and  other  examples 
might  be  adduced. 

Vice  is  propagable  from  parents  to  their  children,  in  the  same  way  as 
virtue  and  talent.  Henry  II.  of  France  and  his  Queen,  Catherine  de 
Medici3,  were  cruel  and  atrocious  bigots.  The  former,  on  the  coronation  of 
his  wife,  burned  many  protestants  alive,  and  regaled  himself  with  the  horrid 
spectacle.  Catherine,  who  succeeded  him  as  Regent,  was  not  less  infamous 
for  her  cruelty.  From  this  abominable  couple  sprung  three  sons  still  more 
wicked  than  their  parents,— viz.  Francis  II.,  Charles  IX.,  and  Henry  III.; 
the  second  named  being  the  author  of  the  horrid  massacre  of  St.  Bartholo- 
mew's day,  on  which  occasion  40,000  Protestants  were  butchered  in  cold 
blood. 

107  For  much  valuable  information  on  the  subject  of  the  transmission  of 
hereditary  qualities  from  parents  to  their  children,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Dr.  .Caldwell's  admirable  little  work  entitled  "  Thoughts  on  Physical 
Education,"  a  reprint  of  which  has  lately  appeared  in  Edinburgh  under  the 
auspices  of  Mr.  Combe  and  Mr.  Robert  Cox,  the  former  of  whom  has 
furnished  it  with  a  preface,  and  the  latter  with  a  variety  of  excellent  notes. 
See  also  Mr.  Combe's  "  Constitution  of  Man." 

108  I  confess  myself  a  participator  in  the  vulgar  belief  that  impressions 
made  upon  the  mother's  mind  during  pregnancy  may  affect  the  offspring. 
There  are  many  cases  to  prove  this.  Mr.  Bennet  relates  a  very  striking 
one  in  the  •* London  Medical  and  Physical  Journal."    A  woman  gave  birth 


168  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

benefit  of  this  improved  condition  of  brain,  and  the  proba- 
bilities are,  that  they  will  surpass  the  eldest  born  both  in 
talents  and  in  virtue. 

What  is  the  best  plan  for  insuring  a  good  brain  to  our 
offspring  ? 

The  first  great  point  is  obedience  to  the  organic  laws  of 
marriage,  which  command  us  to  choose  for  partners  only- 
such  as  have  a  good  cerebral  organization.  The  next  is 
ample  nourishment  in  childhood,  with  considerable  bodily, 
and  moderate  mental  exercise. 
In  which  sex  do  the  faculties  soonest  reach  maturity  f 
In  the  female.  Woman  attains  her  full  stature  and  pro- 
portions earlier  than  man;  and  the  same  law  prevails  also 
with  regard  to  the  manifestations  of  her  mind. 

Is  mental  maturity  attained  at  the  same  age  in  all  nations  f 
No.     In  the  tropics  this  occurs  several  years  earlier  than 
in  the  colder  regions. 

Has  the  size  of  brain  any  effect  upon  the  voice  f 

It  has,  especially  if  the  organs  of  Firmness,  Combative- 


to  a  child  with  a  large  cluster  of  globular  tumours  growing  from  the  tongue, 
and  preventing  the  closure  of  the  mouth,  in  colour,  shape,  and  size  exactly- 
resembling  our  common  grapes  j  and  with  a  red  excrescence  from  the  chest 
as  exactly  resembling  in  figure  and  general  appearance  a  turkey's  wattles. 
On  being  questioned,  before  the  child  was  shown  her,  she  answered  that, 
while  pregnant,  she  had  seen  some  grapes,  longed  intensely  for  them  and 
constantly  thought  of  them,  and  once  was  attacked  by  a  turkey  cock. 
James  VI.  of  Scotland  had  a  great  abhorrence  of  a  drawn  sword,  and  was, 
withal,  timid  and  cowardly ;  which  difference  of  character  from  that  of  all 
the  line  of  Stewart  which  preceded  and  followed  him  has  been  attributed, 
not  irrationally,  to  the  circumstance  of  Rizzio  having  been  butchered  before 
the  eyes  of  Queen  Mary  then  enceinte  with  the  future  monarch.  According 
to  Esquirol,  the  children  whose  existence  dated  from  the  horrors  of  the  first 
French  Revolution  turned  out  to  be  weak,  nervous,  and  irritable  in  mind, 
extremely  susceptible  of  impressions,  and  liable  to  be  thrown,  by  the  least 
extraordinary  excitement,  into  absolute  insanity.  The  story  of  Jacob  and 
the  rods,  as  related  in  the  30th  chapter  of  Genesis,  is  a  proof  of  the  belief  in 
ancient  time  that  parental  impressions  may  affect  the  offspring. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  169 

ness,  and  Destructiveness  are  large.  Large-brained  people 
have  generally  a  loud,  energetic  pronunciation— small- 
brained  the  reverse. 

Why  are  certain  individuals  much  liked  by  some  and 
hated  by  others  ? 

Individuals  with  large  organs  of  Benevolence,  Self-Es- 
teem, and  Destructiveness,  will  be  objects  of  love  or  aver- 
sion, according  to  the  dispositions  of  those  they  associate 
with.  If  they  come  in  contact  with  people  who  are  also 
largely  endowed  with  the  two  latter  organs,  they  will  pro- 
bably be  disliked,  from  the  almost  necessary  collision  of 
faculties  which  will  ensue  betwixt  the  parties.  Meeting 
with  persons  in  whom  the  organs  in  question  are  small,  or 
only  moderately  developed,  no  such  collision  takes  place; 
and  their  Benevolence,  having  uninterrupted  sway,  comes 
into  operation,  and  attracts  towards  themselves  the  kindly 
feelings  of  those  persons. 

Why  are  brave  people  generally  affectionate  f 

This  arises  from  the  curious  fact,  that  when  Combativeness 
is  greatly  developed,  there  is  almost  always  a  large  organ  of 
Adhesiveness.  Accordingly,  brave  men  have  ever  been 
remarked  for  the  strength  of  their  attachments.  General 
Wurmser  had  both  organs  large,  and  he  displayed  the  cor- 
responding faculties  powerfully.  In  the  skull  of  king  Robert 
Bruce,  Adhesiveness  is  amply  developed;  and  history  repre- 
sents him  as  an  affectionate  husband  and  friend. 

Why  are  passionate  people  remarkable  for  their  dislikes 
and  attachments  ? 

Such  persons  have  in  general  exciteable  temperaments, 
very  active  brains;  and  this  activity  applies  to  Destructive- 
ness and  Adhesiveness,  in  common  with  other  organs.  The 
excitement  of  the  first  named  will  produce  irascibility  and 
hatred,  that  of  the  latter  affection  and  kindness. 

Why  does  it  sometimes  happen  that  a  servant  who  has 

H 


170  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

been  under  two  mistresses  is  esteemed  by  one  a  person  ofex~ 
cellent  temper,  and  by  the  other  quite  the  reverse  f 

This  arises  undoubtedly  from  the  different  constitutions 
of  mind  possessed  by  the  two  mistresses.  If  the  servant  is 
destructive  and  the  mistress  the  same,  the  hasty  temper  of 
the  former  will  probably  often  appear  :  if  the  mistress  is  of 
a  mild  disposition,  the  organ  of  Destructiveness  in  the  servant 
will  not  be  called  into  activity,  and  she  will  be  regarded  b}' 
her  employer  as  possessed  of  a  very  good  temper.  This 
teaches  us  that,  in  selecting  servants,  care  should  be  taken  to 
procure  those  whose  dispositions  will  accord  with  our  own. 
By  neglecting  this  obvious  rule,  quarrels  are  perpetually 
occurring,  and  a  great  deal  of  domestic  annoyance  is  the 
result.  It  teaches,  moreover,  something  still  more  important. 
If  a  man,  for  instance,  with  large  Destructiveness,  Comba- 
tiveness  and  Firmness,  marries  a  woman  similarly  organized, 
there  is  a  great  chance  of  unhappiness,  unless  the  parties 
have  the  most  admirable  prudence  and  self-command. 
Common  observation  points  out  the  consequences  of  such 
ill-assorted  unions. 

Has  Phrenology  been  ever  usefully  employed  in  the  selec- 
tion of  servants? 

It  has,  and  with  such  success  that  some  phrenologists  will 
not  engage  a  servant  without  ascertaining  his  or  her  char- 
acter by  examination  of  the  head.  The  practice  is  altogether 
excellent,  and  should  be  more  generally  had  recourse  to. 
A  full  development  of  Order,  Individuality,  and  Conscien- 
tiousness is  absolutely  essential  to  a  good  domestic.  Where 
children  are  to  be  taken  care  of,  Philoprogenitiveness  ought 
to  be  large,  otherwise  little  interest  will  be  felt  in  them. 
Veneration,  which  bestows  deference  to  superiors,  should 
also  be  well  developed,  especially  if  the  master  or  mistress 
possesses  much  Self-Esteem.  A  servant  with  a  small 
brain  and  feeble  character  may  suit   an  employer  similarly 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  171 

situated,  but  will  not  answer  one  whose  brain  is  large  and  active. 
To  the  latter  he  will  seem  inefficient  or  useless.  The  servant, 
however,  ought  not  to  excel  his  master  in  intellect  or  force  of 
character.  If  such  is  the  case,  he  will  intuitively  feel  that 
nature  has  made  him  superior  to  the  master  he  serves.  An 
active  temperament  is  in  every  case  essential.  Where  the 
lymphatic  tendency  prevails,  smartness  and  vivacity  will  be 
absent,  and  work  felt  to  be  toilsome  and  oppressive.  Because 
a  servant  is  rejected  by  one  master,  on  the  score  of  ineffi- 
ciency, it  by  no  means  follows  that  he  may  not  make  a  very 
fair  one  to  another,  with  a  different  cerebral  combination.109 

If  a  woman  with  a  large  active  brain,  marines  a  small- 
brained  man,  what  is  likely  to  ensue? 

She  will  rule  her  husband.  As  already  mentioned,  a 
large  brain  acquires  an  ascendency  over  a  small  one. 

Why,  then,  do  weak  women  sometimes  rule  men  superior  to 
themselves  in  intellect  and  force  of  character? 

Such  men  will  often  give  way  in  trifling  matters  to  their 
wives  for  the  sake  of  peace,  but  not  in  affairs  of  real  impor- 
tance. A  sensible  man  will  not  run  the  risk  of  quarrelling 
with  a  silly  woman,  when,  by  yielding  in  things  of  no  great 
moment,  he  can  keep  her  quiet.  Independently  of  this, 
strong-minded  men  are  often  very  much  attached  to  their 


109  u  In' one  instance,  I  refused  to  hire  a  boy  as  a  servant,  because  I  found 
his  head  to  belong  to  the  inferior  class,  although  he  was  introduced  by  a 
woman  whose  good  conduct  and  discrimination  I  had  long  known,  and  who 
gave  him  an  excellent  character.  That  individual  was,  at  first,  greatly 
incensed  at  my  refusing  to  engage  the  boy;  but  within  a  month  she  returned, 
and  said  that  she  had  been  grossly  imposed  upon  herself  by  a  .neighbour, 
whose  son  the  boy  was ;  that  she  had  since  learned  that  he  was  a  thief,  and 
had  been  dismissed  from  his  previous  service  for  stealing.  On  another 
occasion,  I  hired  a  female  servant,  because  her  head  belonged  to  the  superior 
class,  although  her  former  mistress  gave  her  a  very  indifferent  character  ; 
and  the  result  was  equally  in  favour  of  phrenology.  She  turned  out  an  excel- 
lent servant,  and  remained  with  me  for  several  years,  until  she  was  respect- 
ably married."— Combe's  System,  4th  edition,  vol.  ii.  p.  717. 


172  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

wives,  however  much  inferior  to  themselves;  and  ar^  natur- 
ally not  indisposed  to  gratify  their  whimsicalities.  When 
a  man,  intellectually  superior  to  his  wife,  is  ruled  and  over- 
awed by  her,  it  will  be  found  that  he  is  her  inferior  in  the 
energy  of  the  propensities.  These,  when  strong  and  active, 
give  force  to  the  character,  and  a  natural  predominance  to 
the  individual  over  others  more  highly  gifted  with  intellect, 
but  with  the  propensities  feebler.  Such,  sometimes,  is  the 
secret  of  female  sway  over  intellectually  superior  minds. 

Why  is  parental  generally  stronger  than  filial  love? 

Because  in  the  first  case  both  Adhesiveness  and  Philo- 
progenitiveness  come  into  operation,  whereas  in  the  second 
it  is  Adhesiveness  alone  that  acts. 

What  does  eccentricity  arise  from? 

From  a  want  of  due  balance  in  the  faculties.  If  one  organ 
or  more  is  large  in  proportion  to  the  others,  particularly 
where  the  intellect  is  weak,  it  will  produce  that  irregularity 
of  character  to  which  the  term  eccentric  is  applied.  Eccen- 
tricity frequently  degenerates  into  madness. 

From  what  does  a  great  flow  of  animal  spirits  proceed  f 

From  unusual  activity  of  brain,  accompanied  often  with 
deficient  prudence  and  reflection,  and  a  large  development 
of  Hope,  Ideality,  and  Wit.  Such  cerebral  activity  is  con- 
stitutional, and  generally  accompanied  with  a  high  sanguine- 
ous temperament. 

When  an  organ  is  much  exercised,  is  pain  ever  felt  in 
the  site  of  it? 

Very  often.  Hard-thinking  produces  a  sense  of  fulness 
or  pain  in  the  forehead,  the  seat  of  the  intellectual  organs. 
In  excitement  of  Amativeness,  there  is  frequently  a  sense  of 
heat  at  the  nape  of  the  neck.  When  there  exists  a  strong 
desire  to  travel,110  pain  is  sometimes  felt  in  the  region  of 

110  *  A  young  lady,"  says  Dr.  Gall,  "had  always  a  great  desire  to  travel. 
She  eloped  from  her  father's  house  with  an  officer.     Grief  and  remorse  un- 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  173 

Locality;  and,  in  cases  of  spectral  illusions,  over  the  per- 
ceptive organs. 

What  is  the  cause  of  spectral  illusions? 

These  phenomena  depend  on  a  morbidly  excited  state  of 
some  of  the  perceptive  organs,  such  as  Form,  Size,  and  Colour; 
whence  images  are  presented  to  the  mind  without  the  co- 
operation of  the  external  senses.  If  the  organ  of  Form,  for 
instance,  becomes  as  strongly  stimulated  by  an  internal  cause 
as  it  would  be  by  an  object  presented  to  it  by  the  vision,  some 
image  will  be  formed,  and  the  person  will  believe  that  he 
sees  what  in  reality  has  no  existence.  Morbid  affections  of 
the  nerves  of  sight  seem  to  have  the  same  influence  in  pro- 
ducing spectral  illusions. 

Is  the  feeling  of  hunger  experienced,  strictly  speaking,  in 
the  stomach  f 

No.  The  term  "craving  of  the  stomach,"  so  often  used 
to  express  hunger,  is  not  in  reality  correct.  The  brain  is  the 
craver,  and  is  excited  to  a  craving  state  only  by  emptiness 
of  the  stomach,  unless  the  organ  of  Alimentiveness  be  so 
large,  or  so  stimulated  by  some  internal  morbid  action,  as  to 
need  no  such  excitement;  or  unless  disease  be  present  in 
the  stomach,  so  as  to  transmit  to  the  brain  the  sensation 
which,  during  health,  is  transmitted  during  inanition  alone. 

dermined  her  health.  I  attended  her,  and  she  made  me  remark  two  large 
prominences  which,  she  said,  the  pain  she  had  endured  had  caused  to  grow 
on  her  forehead.  These  excrescences,  which  appeared  to  her  the  conse- 
quences of  divine  wrath,  were  in  fact  the  organs  of  Locality  ,  to  which  she  had 
never  paid  any  attention."  To  this  1  may  add,  that  a  lady  of  my  acquain- 
tance, in  whom  the  organ  of  Philoprogenitiveness  is  very  largely  developed 
even  for  a  woman,  and  whose  love  of  children  is  extreme,  informs  me  that 
when  distressed  or  anxious  about  her  family  she  experiences  pain  at  the 
back  of  the  head,  just  over  the  seat  of  the  organ.  Some  deny  the  possibility 
of  one  part  of  a  healthy  brain  being  more  gorged  with  blood  than  another. 
The  above  facts  sufficiently  demonstrate  that  such  may  be  the  case  j  nor  can 
it  be  doubted  that  in  a  fit  of  violent  rage,  the  portion  of  the  cerebral  mass 
which  manifests  Destructiveness  is  in  a  much  more  turgescent  state  than 
that  appropriated  to  Benevolence. 


174  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

People  are  sometimes  afflictedwith  imaginary  voices  speak- 
ing to  them :  can  you  account  for  this? 

It  may  be  explained  in  the  same  way  as  apparitions. 
There  are  unquestionably  certain  parts  of  the  brain  which 
take  cognizance  of  sounds  :  we  call  the  nerve  of  the  ear  the 
organ  of  hearing,  but  strictly  speaking  it  is  not  such  :  it  is 
merely  the  medium  for  conveying  sounds  to  the  brain,  where 
the  true  organ  resides.  Now,  suppose  that  the  portion  of  the 
brain  appropriated  to  this  sense  is  stimulated  by  some  internal 
cause,  in  the  same  way  as  it  is  by  real  sounds  conveyed  to 
it  by  the  nerve,  the  person  will  have  the  idea  that  he  hears, 
and  that  often  as  distinctly  as  if  subjected  to  the  stimulus  of 
actual  noise.  Fanatics  and  deranged  people  sometimes 
imagine  they  hear  angels,  and  even  the  Deity,  speaking  to 
them;  and  persons  perfectly  deaf  have  at  times  sensations  as 
of  voices  addressing  them,  just  as  the  blind  are  occasionally 
haunted  by  spectral  illusions.  All  these  phenomena  are 
explicable  upon  the  principles  just  mentioned.111 

What  are  dreams? 

Dreams  are  merely  spectral  illusions — with  this  difference, 
that,  in  the  former,  only  certain  of  the  organs  are  vivified  by 
the  internal  stimulus,  while  the  rest  are  asleep;  whereas,  in 
the  latter,  all  are  in  the  usual  waking  state.  When  I  see 
a  ship  sailing,  in  a  dream,  the  organs  of  Form,  Colouring, 
&c.  are  stimulated  by  some  internal  cause,  just  as  they  are 
in  spectral  illusions. 

Ill  Nothing"  is  more  common  than  spontaneous  stimulation  of  the  organ  of 
Tune.  We  are  then  often  haunted  with  what  Matthews  calls  the  ghost  of 
a  tune,  which  intrudes  itself  on  all  occasions,  and  sometimes  under  circum- 
stances peculiarly  ludicrous.  I  have  heard  of  a  worthy  clergyman,  who, 
while  in  the  pulpit  one  Sunday,  felt  an  excessive  desire  to  sing  Maggie 
Lauder ;  on  going  home  the  tendency  to  indulge  in  this  profane  freak  became 
irresistible,  and  without  more  ado  he  went  into  his  garden  and  sung  the 
song  with  great  glee.  This  done,  the  inclination  vanished :  his  organ  of 
Tune  received  the  gratification  for  which  it  was  craving,  and  the  ghosfc 
of  Maggie  Lauder  took  to  flight. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  175 

How  does  it  happen  that  people  of  weak  intellect  some- 
times  display  considerable  powers  of  mind  during  an  attack 
of  fever  or  inflammation  of  the  brain  f 

It  is  to  be  accounted  for  from  the  organs  of  the  brain 
being  stimulated  by  the  disease;  whence  the  faculties  con- 
nected with  these  organs  display  unusual  force,  and  an 
intellectual  energy  is  exhibited  of  which,  at  other  times,  the 
person  gives  no  indications.  As  soon,  however,  as  the  dis- 
ease is  removed,  the  stimulus  communicated  by  it  to  the 
organs  ceases,  and  the  customary  state  of  imbecility  returns. 
Even  idiots  sometimes  become  rational  during  fever. 

Explain  why  forgotten  events  are  sometimes  brought  back 
to  the  mind  in  dreams. 

This  is  explicable  on  the  same  principle.  During  the 
dream,  certain  portions  of  the  brain  which  bear  a  relation 
to  the  event  are  stimulated,  and  a  resuscitation  of  it 
is  the  consequence.  A  man,  for  instance,  hides  or  mislays 
money,  and  forgets  where;  but  the  brain  being  excited,  the 
circumstance  is  vividly  recalled;  and  if  he  is  ignorant,  as 
generally  happens,  of  the  cause  of  this  phenomenon,  he 
straightway  infers  that  something  supernatural  has  occurred, 
and  that  he  has  been  favoured  with  intelligence  by  spiritual 
agency. 

Are  all  the  cerebral  organs  liable  to  stimulation  in  madness, 
dreaming,  drunkenness,  fyc? 

So  far  as  we  know,  they  all  are;  and  there  is  no  obvious 
reason  why  any  of  them  should  be  exempted  from  this  law. 

Give  a  few  instances  of  the  stimulation  of  particular 
organs. 

People  who  never  displayed  any  talent  for  poetry, 
music,  calculation,  or  eloquence,  have  exhibited  these 
qualities  in  considerable  perfection  during  an  attack  of  in- 
sanity, or  even  in  dreams :  the  most  chaste  have  become 
wanton  in  their  conduct,  and  indecent  in  their  language; 


176  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

thB  most  sedate  witty;  the  most  prosaic  full  of  imagination. 
Even  persons  who  never  before  displayed  any  thing  like 
logical  power,  have  reasoned  profoundly,  constituting  in- 
stances of  what  Pinel  calls  "  Folie  Raisonnante,"  or  Reason- 
ing Insanity.  Such  changes  undoubtedly  arise  from  the 
particular  stimulus  which  has  been  communicated  to  the 
organs  of  the  faculties  concerned. 

May  a  man  be  a  ready,  eloquent,  and  impressive  speaker, 
and  yet  possess  no  great  intellect? 

Nothing  is  more  common.  It  is  generally  but  fallaciously 
imagined  that  eloquence  is  altogether  an  intellectual  opera- 
tion; and  hence  those  who  excel  in  it  are  looked  upon  as 
necessarily  possessing  very  superior  talents.  Much  of  the 
power  of  eloquence,  however,  is  derived  from  the  appeals 
made  by  it  to  the  propensities  and  sentiments.  A  person 
who  addresses  the  passions  of  a  multitude,  and  carries  his 
audience  along  with  him,  is  truly  eloquent;  and  yet  in  accom- 
plishing this  oratorical  feat,  scarcely  a  single  appeal  may 
be  made  to  the  intellect  of  his  hearers.  The  harangues  of 
popular  demagogues  are  almost  all  of  this  sort.  They  address 
the  Self-Esteem,  the  Combativeness,  and  the  Love  of  Appro- 
bation of  the  crowd,  and  the  effect  produced  is  often  won- 
derful. The  late  Henry  Hunt  owed  the  power  which  he 
wielded  of  swaying  a  mob,  to  his  strong  propensities,  finding 
a  ready  echo  in  those  of  his  audience*  In  a  war  of  the 
lower  propensities  he  was  a  formidable  gladiator,  and  so  will 
any  man  be  who  is  gifted  with  powerful  passions,  and  a  large 
organ  of  Language.  The  eloquence  which  appeals  to  the 
understanding  alone,  is  indeed  a  very  different  and  very 
superior  accomplishment;  but  for  common  purposes  it  is  little 
available,  in  so  far  as  the  average  intellects  of  men  are  not 
sufficiently  enlightened  to  relish  it.  This  is  the  reason  why 
some  men  of  great  talent  are  little  appreciated  as  speakers 
by  the  multitude,  while  others,  who  appeal  solely  to  the  feel- 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  177 

ings  of  an  audience,  and  whose  intellectual  calibre  is  exceed- 
ingly small,  are  looked  upon  as  persons  of  distinguished 
genius. 

How  is  it  that  people  of  talent  have  sometimes  small,  and 
dull  people  large  heads? 

To  bestow  talent,  the  intellectual  organs  only  are  neces- 
sary. A  person  may  have  these  well  developed,  and  yet  the 
organs  of  the  propensities  and  inferior  sentiments  may  be 
so  small,  as  to  cause  the  head  to  be  below  the  average 
size.  Again,  if  the  former  class  be  small,  and  the  latter  very 
large,  the  head  may  be  one  of  ample  dimensions,  and  yet 
its  owner  be  a  most  ordinary  mortal.  Where  organs  not  re- 
markably developed  accompany  strong  faculties,  the  mental 
cultivation  will  be  found  to  have  been  great,  and  the  quality 
of  brain  to  be  very  superior. 

In  a  person  of  talent,  would  you  expect  a  large  intellectual 
development® 

I  would,  provided  his  talent  was  of  a  comprehensive  kind; 
but  it  is  quite  possible  to  possess  a  genius  for  a  particular 
subject,  and  yet  have  a  poor  general  development  of  the 
intellectual  organs.  For  instance,  he  may  have  great  talent 
in  calculation,  in  music,  or  in  scholarship,  by  virtue  of  large 
organs  of  Number,  Tune,  or  Language.  People  are  often 
called  clever,  from  possessing,  in  great  perfection,  one  par- 
ticular faculty;  and,  having  what  phrenologists  would  call  a 
poor  development  of  brain,  they  are  brought  forward  as 
illustrations  of  the  fallacy  of  the  science.  George  III.  was 
called  by  some  people  a  clever  man,  because  he  possessed 
great  power  of  recollecting  individuals  whom  he  had  seen. 
There  was  once  a  man  who  could  repeat,  from  memory, 
the  whole  of  the  New  Testament.  Many  hearing  of  such 
a  prodigy,  would  infer  that  he  must  have  been  possessed 
of  vast  genius;  yet  he  was  little  better  than  an  idiot. 

Has  a  tall  man  a  larger  brain  than  one  of  moderate  stature  f 
H  2 


178  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS:. 

A  sufficient  number  of  observations  appears  still  awanting' 
to  determine  this  point  satisfactorily;  but  it  seems  probable, 
that  the  brain  of  a  tall,  broad,  powerful  man,  is,  generally 
speaking,  larger  than  that  of  a  short  man  of  an  opposite  make. 
The  heads,  at  all  events,  of  these  men  are  commonly  larger; 
but  this  may  partly  arise  from  the  skull  and  integuments  being 
generally  very  thick  in  athletic  subjects.  Large  men,  however, 
are  usually  inferior  in  intellect  and  energy  of  character  to  the 
middle-sized,  and  are  far  less  likely  to  possess  the  same 
amount  of  genius  with  the  same  size  of  brain — the  nervous 
energy  being  wasted  over  their  unwieldy  trunks  in  the 
processes  of  digestion,  assimilation,  secretion,  &c.112  "  Large 
men,"  as  Richerand  justly  remarks,  "  are  seldom  great  men." 

Is  great  muscular  exercise  favourable  to  the  vigorous 
action  of  the  brain? 

Quite  the  reverse.  A  hard-working  man,  after  finishing 
his  day's  labour,  will  be  apt  to  fall  asleep  if  he  attempts  to 
read.  In  him,  the  nervous  energy  is  chiefly  expended  on 
the  muscles,  and  too  small  a  portion  of  it  is  sent  to  the 
intellectual  organs,  which,  not  being  stimulated  sufficiently, 
are  in  a  state  unfavourable  to  the  process  of  thinking.  In  a 
country  church,  nothing  is  more  common  than  to  find  half 
the  congregation  asleep  during  sermon;  and  the  reason  is 


1 12  Though  large  men  seem  to  have,  generally  speaking,  larger  brains  than 
the  middle-sized,  the  exceptions  to  this  rule  are  numerous.  Gall,  Byron, 
Cuvier,  and  Napoleon,  had  very  large  heads,  and  none  of  them  exceeded 
the  ordinary  size ;  the  latter  two,  indeed,  were  rather  below  it.  The  same 
remark  applies  to  Godwin,  whose  head  was  of  great  size.  With  regard  to 
the  fact  of  large  bodies  being  unfavourable  to  mental  activity  and  power, 
Spurzheim  remarks,  that  "  A  large  body  will  require  the  greater  part  of 
the  brain  and  nervous  system  to  be  employed  in  its  functions,  and  there 
will  then  remain  a  small  portion  for  the  manifestations  of  the  superior 
faculties."  I  may  here  observe,  that  when  the  body  is  growing  rapidly,  the 
mind  becomes  weak,  on  account  of  the  drafts  made  upon  the  brain,  to  effect 
the  growth— in  other  words,  to  supply  the  nervous  energy  necessary  for 
the  proper  performance  of  the  digestive  and  assimilative  functions. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  179 

obvious.  Country  people,  working  harder  than  citizens  in 
general,  have  less  vivacious  brains.  An  intellectual  effort 
overcomes  them  sooner,  and  they  fall  asleep,  where  the 
others  would  continue  awake  without  difficulty. 

In  certain  cases  of  insanity,  there  is  said  to  be  no  apparent 
disease  of  the  brain:  how  is  this  reconcileable  with  phren- 
ology? 

Although  there  is  no  apparent,  there  must  be  real  disease. 
Facts  prove  that  disease  may  exist  without  its  being  possible 
to  ascertain  it  by  dissection.  Such  is  often  the  case  in  tetanus, 
tic  doloureux,  and  paralysis,  where  we  can  generally  detect 
no  change  whatever  in  the  nerves,  the  seat  of  those  diseases. 
In  like  manner,  digestion,  or  the  biliary  secretion,  may  be 
disordered,  without  the  concomitance  of  any  appreciable 
change  in  the  stomach  or  liver;  and  so  may  it  be  with 
the  brain  in  what  are  called  mental  diseases.  The  cases 
of  insanity,  however,  in  which  this  viscus  is  seemingly  free 
from  disease,  must  be  exceedingly  few  in  number,  if  any 
such  there  be  at  all.  One  of  the  most  distinguished  of 
modern  physiologists,  Mr.  Lawrence,  states  that  he  has  ex- 
amined the  heads  of  many  insane  persons  after  death,  and 
has  hardly  seen  a  single  brain  in  which  there  were  not 
obvious  marks  of  disease.  Dr.  Wright  of  the  Bethlehem 
Lunatic  Asylum  says,  that  in  one  hundred  cases  of  insane 
individuals,  whose  heads  he  had  examined,  all  exhibited 
signs  of  disease,  more  or  less.  A  French  writer,  who  has 
examined  a  still  greater  number,  arrives  at  the  same  con- 
clusion. In  short,  it  is  more  than  probable,  that  in  every 
case,  a  skilful  person,  who  is  accustomed  to  examine  the 
brains  of  lunatics,  will  detect  signs  of  disease.  They  may 
be  so  slight  as  to  escape  the  notice  of  a  common  observer, 
but  that  they  will  be  manifest  to  the  minute,  experienced, 
and  talented  pathologist,  there  is  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve. 


180 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 


How  happens  it  that  in  extensive  dropsy  of  the  brain,  the 
intellectual  powers  are  not  always  destroyed? 

When  hydrocephalus  (or  water  in  the  head)  occurs  before 
the  process  of  cranial  ossification  is  perfected,  or  even  at  a 
later  period,  the  bones  yield  to  the  action  of  the  internal  fluid, 
and  the  brain  is  thus,  in  a  great  measure,  freed  from  a  pressure 
which  would  otherwise  speedily  prove  fatal.  The  size  which 
the  head  then  attains  is  often  enormous.    It  is  customary  to 


Illustration  of  Hydrocephalus. 


say  that  in  some  such  cases  the  intellect  is  not  weakened,  but 
this  is  a  mistake.  Destroyed  it  may  not  be,  but  impaired  it 
always  is,  more  or  less.  A  hydrocephalic  brain  may  exhibit 
tolerable  aptitude  where  a  very  moderate  demand  is  made 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  181 

upon  its  energies;  but  engage  it  in  any  task  which  requires 
considerable  exertion,  and  its  weakness  and  inefficiency  will 
be  abundantly  evident. 

What  do  you  think  of  the  objection  often  made  to  phreno- 
logy, that  the  organs  cannot  be  shown  in  a  detached  state, 
but  only  homogeneously  connected?11^ 

Every  sensible  person  must  think  it  a  very  absurd  one. 
If  the  purpose  of  Nature  had  been  to  settle  the  doubts  of  a 
few  incredulous  individuals,  instead  of  constructing  the  brain 
after  the  fashion  best  adapted  for  the  performance  of  its 
functions,  then,  doubtless,  she  would  have  marked  the 
limits  of  every  organ  with  mathematical  nicety  and  distinct- 
ness; but  it  has  not  pleased  her  to  do  this — at  least  so  far 
as  our  powers  of  observation  at  present  enable  us  to  discover; 
and,  accordingly,  we  must  just  take  things  as  we  find  them 
— satisfied,  that  the  animal  economy  exhibits  no  instance  of 
one  organ  performing  more  than  one  function,  and  that  in 
assigning  different  functions  to  different  parts  of  the  brain, 
Nature  is  only  following  one  of  her  own  invariable  laws. 

Is  not  the  tongue,  though  it  possesses  taste,  sensation,  and 
motion,  three  different  functions,  a  single  organ  f 

There  are  certainly  three  functions  combined  in  the  tongue, 


113  Let  such  objectors  point  out  (as  was  suggested  in  a  humorous  paper 
in  the  Phrenological  Journal)  where  the  chin  ends  and  the  cheeks  begin, 
and  then  we  shall  allow  their  arguments  to  possess  some  force.  No  human 
being  can  point  out  the  line  of  demarcation  which  separates  those  parts 
of  the  face,  yet,  I  presume,  every  man  of  sound  mind  admits  the  exis- 
tence of  chins,  and  the  possibility  of  telling  whether  they  are  large  or  small. 
The  organs  of  the  brain  are  not  a  whit  more  intimately  blended  together, 
than  is  the  chin,  or  even  the  nose,  with  the  cheeks.  In  looking  at  a  moun- 
tain, no  person  can  tell  the  precise  point  where  it  commences,  and  the  plain 
terminates;  still,  common  sense  informs  us,  that  there  is  a  mountain  before 
our  eyes.  In  looking  at  the  rainbow,  or  through  a  prism,  we  see  a  variety 
of  differently  coloured  rays,  yet  who  can  define  the  limits  of  each;?  Though 
perfectly  distinct,  they  are  blended  together  in  a  way  that  defies  the  point- 
ing out  of  their  limits.    So  it  is  with  the  organs  of  the  brain. 


182  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

it  must  be  considered  that  each  of  these  is  effected  by  means 
of  a  distinct  organ  or  nerve.  We  have  a  nerve  for  taste, 
another  for  sensation,  and  a  third  for  motion — so  that, 
strictly  speaking,  the  tongue  is  not  a  single  organ,  but 
combines  in  itself  several,  by  means  of  which  its  varied 
functions  are  performed.  Its  different  nerves  can  perform 
only  their  own  functions  and  no  other;  thus,  in  the  gus- 
tatory nerve  resides  the  sense  of  taste  alone,  and  not  that 
of  feeling — -just  as,  in  the  brain,  the  organ  of  Locality  gives 
us  the  perception  of  places,  and  not  that  of  music  or  colour. 
The  fact,  therefore,  that  one  organ  can  perform  only  one 
function  holds  as  true  in  the  tongue  as  in  the  brain;  and 
throughout  the  whole  animal  economy  it  is  precisely  the 
same.114 

What  is  crime? 

The  abuse  of  certain  of  the  propensities  :  thus,  theft  is 
the  abuse  of  Acquisitiveness,  and  murder  of  Destructive- 
ness.  Crime,  however,  presupposes  such  a  decree  of  sanity 
as  to  make  us  responsible  agents,  for  no  possible  abuse  of 
the  propensities  can  be  looked  upon  as  criminal  in  a  madman 
or  an  idiot. 

What  is  the  origin  of  motives? 

Motives  are  desires  or  inclinations  produced  by  the  activity 
of  the  faculties;  and  this  activity  is  owing  to  the  excitement 
of  the  cerebral  organs,  either  spontaneous,  or  the  effect  of 

114  Till  the  discovery  of  Sir  Charles  Bell,  no  person  could  anatomically 
demonstrate  the  existence  of  distinct  nerves  for  motion  and  sensation. 
Spurzheim,  judging-  from  analogy,  inferred,  that  there  must  be  separate 
nerves  for  each  of  these  functions,  and  urged  anatomists  to  prosecute  the 
subject,  and  endeavour  to  find  them  out.  Sir  Charles  Bell  was  the  lucky 
discov  erer.  He  ascertained  that  the  one  set  of  nerves  arises  from  the  anterior, 
and  the  other  from  the  posterior  part  of  the  spinal  marrow,  that  they  unite 
almost  immediately,  and  are  so  intimately  blended,  that  they  cannot  be 
distinguished  or  disentangled.  They  are,  in  fact,  as  completely  incorporated, 
to  all  appearance,  as  the  different  organs  of  the  brain,  and  constitute  a  tex- 
ture seemingly  even  more  homogeneous  than  the  cerebral  mass. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  183 

external  circumstances,  or,  what  is  most  frequent,  arising* 
from  both. 

Would  evert/  man  have  acted  as  the  murderer  Hare  did, 
if  placed  in  the  same  circumstances? 

No.  Few  men  could  possibly  have  done  so,  and  none 
unless  they  had  possessed  a  cerebral  organization  similar  to 
Hare's.  No  longing  for  money,  no  privation,  however  great, 
could  have  made  thieves  or  murderers  of  such  men  as  Fenelon 
and  Howard. 

What  is  the  cause  of  certain  organs  being  too  large  or  too 
active  ? 

This  very  often  arises  from  infringement  of  the  organic 
laws  in  marriage.  If  a  man  with  great  Combativeness  and 
Destructiveness,  marries  a  woman  similarly  endowed,  their 
children  will  probably  possess  the  preponderating  organs 
still  larger  and  more  active  than  the  parents.  The  activity 
of  the  propensities  is  often  increased  by  drinking,  and  the 
contamination  of  bad  society,  for  the  same  reason  that  the 
vigour  of  the  reflecting  faculties  is  augmented  by  reading, 
and  other  salutary  intellectual  exercises. 

May  deficiency  in  the  size  of  certain  organs  be  also  occa- 
sioned by  infringement  of  the  organic  laws? 

Undoubtedly.  A  man  and  woman  very  deficient  in  Con- 
scientiousness, will  be  apt  to  produce  dishonest  children. 
If  both  parents  have  a  poor  intellectual  development,  their 
offspring  almost  always  inherit  the  same — in  most  cases 
to  a  worse  degree. 

Have  the  heads  of  criminals  any  peculiarity  of  formation? 

They  have,  in  so  far  that  not  an  instance  can  be  pointed  out, 
of  a  criminal,  or  notoriously  worthless  character,  having  such 
a  moral  and  intellectual  development  as  Melancthon  or  Sully. 
In  the  heads  of  criminals,  there  is  generally  a  great  pre- 
dominance of  the  organs  of  the  propensities  over  those  of 
the  moral  sentiments — a  large  mass  of  brain  in  the  posterior 


184 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 


and  basilar  regions,  and  a  comparatively  small  portion  in 
the  frontal  and  coronal  regions.  Some  malefactors,  how- 
ever, are  drawn  into  crime  more  by  unfavourable  circum- 
stances than  by  natural  depravity ;  while  other  men,  strongly 
disposed  to  crime,  but  rather  fortunately  situated  in  worldly 
matters,  refrain,  through  dread  of  the  consequences,  from 
committing  it.  People  with  a  good  moral  development, 
occasionally  commit  crimes  from  a  diseased  action  of 
the  brain.  Such  persons  are  virtually  deranged,  although 
this  circumstance  is  not  always  taken  into  consideration. 

What  character  results  from  a  pretty  equal  development 
of  the  propensities ,  sentiments ,  and  intellect? 

It  will  be  good,  bad,  or  indifferent,  according  to  the  situa- 
tion in  which  the  individual  is  placed.  If  in  favourable 
circumstances,  well  educated,  and  under  the  influence  of 
good  example,  he  may  turn  out  a  very  fair  member  of  society; 


Sheridan. 


if  exposed  to  the  contaminating  influence  of  vice,  he  will  be 
apt  to  run  into  it,  and  become  a  rogue.  Sheridan  was  a 
man  of  this  stamp.     So  long  as  he  had  plenty  of  money  he 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  185 

maintained  a  fair  character  for  respectability;  but  when  his 
circumstances  decayed,  he  sunk  into  disreputable  and  vicious 
courses,  and  died  in  poverty  and  contempt.  Many  with  such 
a  configuration  of  head  have  perished  on  the  scaffold,  owing 
to  their  being  unfavourably  situated  for  the  manifestion  of 
their  moral  sentiments,  and  but  too  favourably  for  the  indul- 
gence of  the  propensities.  This  remark  applies  to  Max- 
well who  was  executed  at  Dumfries  for  theft.  In  him,  also,  a 
pretty  uniform  balance  of  the  three  sets  of  faculties 
existed. 

From  what  do  such  differences  proceed  ? 

From  the  particular  faculties  which  are  most  exercised 
taking  the  lead.  In  virtuous  society,  the  higher  feelings, 
such  as  Benevolence,  Veneration,  and  Conscientiousness, 
are  cherished,  and  the  lower  ones,  as  Destructiveness,  Com- 
bativeness,  and  Amativeness,  repressed;  whence  the  former 
(in  a  case  where  both  are  equally  strong  by  nature)  pre- 
dominate. Reverse  the  case,  and  the  predominance  is 
given  to  the  latter.  No  good  example  could  ever  have 
made  a  virtuous  character  of  such  a  man  as  Bellingham, 
armed,  as  he  was,  with  an  enormous  supremacy  of  the 
lower  faculties;  nor  could  any  conceivable  familiarity  with 
scenes  of  vice  have  made  a  villain  of  Fenelon  or  Howard. 
Such  a  doctrine,  some  people  may  say,  makes  man  a  mere 
machine.  With  this  the  disciples  of  Gall  have  nothing  to 
do.  They  simply  reveal  nature  as  they  find  it.  Facts 
demonstrate  that  a  certain  physical  organization  is  invariably 
accompanied  with  a  particular  mental  constitution.  It  is 
the  will  of  the  Divine  Being  that  such  a  correspondence 
should  exist,  and  phrenologists  are  but  the  humble  interpre- 
ters of  His  laws  as  they  affect  the  brain.  Let  those  whose 
cerebral  system  is  happily  constituted,  thank  the  Almighty 
Power,  from  whom  they  have  their  being,  that  He  has  so 
beneficently  endowed  them;  but  let  them  deal  gently  with 


186  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

those  whom  it  has  been  His  pleasure  to  form  after  a  less 
perfect  model. 

Is  not  one  faculty  modified  by  the  influence  of  another  ? 

This  is  true  as  respects  the  result  of  the  faculty,  but  not 
as  respects  the  force  of  the  faculty  itself.  For  instance,  a 
man  offends  me,  and  my  excited  Destructiveness  prompts 
me  to  knock  him  down;  but  I  am  restrained  by  Cautiousness 
from  so  doing.  The  desire  to  strike  is  here  nowise  lessened; 
in  other  words,  the  activity  of  Destructiveness  is  not  abated: 
the  result  merely  to  which  it  would  otherwise  lead  is  modi- 
fied. 

Is  the  activity  of  one  organ  ever  increased  by  that  of 
another  ? 

Undoubtedly.  If  we  look  at  a  beautiful  child,  we  ex- 
perience at  once  kindly  feelings  towards  him,  from  Philo- 
progenitiveness  and  Ideality  calling  our  Benevolence  into 
active  operation.  If  Ideality  is  offended  by  a  loathsome 
reptile,  Destructiveness  is  excited,  and  we  are  disposed  to 
trample  it  under  foot,  however  innoxious  the  creature  may 
be.  Conscientiousness,  offended  by  false  suspicions  against 
one's  self,  excites  Destructiveness.  Dr.  Combe  suggests, 
that  it  is  from  the  contiguity  of  the  organs  of  Adhesiveness, 
Combativeness,  and  Destructiveness,  that  domestic  dissen- 
sions are  the  most  bitter  and  irreconcileable  of  any.115  The 
latter  organ  is  violently  excited  by  drinking,  which  has  led 


115  "A  curious  example  of  the  effect  of  Benevoleuce  in  rousing  Des- 
tructiveness, is  furnished  by  the  history  of  Montbar,  a  Frenchman,  who 
was /so  furiously  exasperated  by  reading1,  in  early  life,  accounts  of  the 
cruelties  of  the  Spaniards  in  America,  that  he  joined  the  Bucaneers,  a  body 
of  pirates  long  the  scourge  of  navigators  in  the  West  Indies.  So  much, 
and  so  frequently  did  this  man  gall  the  Spaniards,  during  the  whole  of  his 
life,  that  he  acquired  from  them  the  name  of  ■  the  Exterminator.'  Of 
course,  the  independent  energy  of  his  Destructiveness  itself  must  have  been 
very.'great."— See  an  admirable  paper  by  Mr.  Robert  Cox,  in  the  Phrenological 
JournalfyoX,  ix.  p.  402. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  ]87 

some  to  conjecture,  that  this  is  owing  to  its  being  in  the 
immediate  neighbourhood  of  Alimentiveness,  the  organ 
which  is  peculiarly  excited  by  intoxication.  This  doctrine, 
however,  of  one  organ  being  stimulated  from  the  contiguity 
of  another,  in  an  excited  state,  though  highly  plausible,  is 
open  to  serious  objections.  If  Alimentiveness,  for  instance, 
excite  Destructiveness,  why  does  not  Destructiveness  excite 
Alimentiveness,  and  thus  render  a  man  desirous  to  eat 
when  in  a  passion  ? 

What  should  be  the  main  purposes  of  education  ? 

To  cultivate  and  direct  the  moral  and  intellectual  faculties, 
by  means  of  exercise,  instruction,  and  example,  and  to  re- 
press, as  much  as  possible,  the  undue  activity  of  the  lower 
feelings.  In  most  people,  the  three  classes  of  faculties  are 
nearly  on  a  par;  and  upon  education  and  example  does  it 
greatly  depend  which  shall  take  the  lead  in  life. 

How  is  Phrenology  useful  in  education,  seeing  that  a 
person's  talents  and  dispositions  may  be  ascertained  without 
its  aid? 

The  greater  our  knowledge  of  the  mental  faculties,  the 
more  perfectly  are  we  made  acquainted  with  the  manner  in 
which  they  ought  to  be  cultivated  and  applied.  Phrenology 
gives  us  this  knowledge  in  a  way  superior  to  any  other  source 
of  information,  and,  therefore,  must  be  eminently  useful  in 
the  education  of  youth.  Independently  of  this,  talents  and 
dispositions  are  very  far  from  being  so  easily  found  out  as  is 
sometimes  imagined;  and  whatever  tends  to  facilitate  their 
discovery,  must  be  looked  upon  as  a  matter  of  high  import- 
ance. Both  these  purposes  being  served  by  Phrenology,  its 
uses  in  education  are  sufficiently  obvious. 

Has  the  size  of  the  lungs  any  influence  on  the  brain's 
activity  ? 

Doubtless  it  has.  When  the  lungs  are  large,  the  blood 
is  more  highly  vivified,  the  circulation  stronger,  and  the 


188  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS* 

brain  nourished  more  completely,  than  when  these  organs 
are  small.  Byron  was  a  middle-sized  man,  but  his  lungs 
were  gigantic  in  their  proportions;  which  may,  perhaps, 
account  in  some  degree  for  his  astonishing  cerebral  activity. 
At  the  same  time,  it  is  not  to  be  inferred,  that  because  a 
man's  respiratory  organs  are  large,  his  brain  will  necessarily 
be  an  active  one.  All  I  mean  to  say  is,  that — other  things 
being  equal — a  large-lunged  man  will  display  greater  vigour 
and  activity  of  mind  than  one  in  whom  the  lungs  are  small. 

Have  all  kinds  of  food  the  same  influence  on  the  energy 
of  the  brain  f 

No.  Animal  food  stimulates  the  cerebral  structure,  and 
contributes  to  its  activity,  much  more  than  vegetable.  If  a 
person  is  fed  too  much  on  vegetable  diet,  the  mental  powers 
become  enfeebled.  In  work-houses,  where  the  inmates 
have  poor  diet,  and  that  often  not  in  sufficient  quantity, 
there  may  be  remarked  a  general  want  of  vigour  in  the 
mind.  Ill-fed  children  are  far  less  likely  to  possess  power- 
ful intellects  than  those  who  are  properly  nourished.  Man 
partaking  of  the  qualities  of  a  carnivorous  and  graminivorous 
animal,  it  was  not  the  intention  of  nature  that  he  should  be 
restricted  to  a  merely  vegetable  diet.  From  such  a  diet 
the  brain  does  not  receive  sufficient  stimulus,  and  is  apt  to 
fall  into  a  torpid  state.  A  considerable  allowance  of  animal 
food  is  necessary,  especially  in  temperate  and  cold  climates, 
to  excite  the  cerebral  structure  properly,  and  keep  it  in 
healthy  and  vigorous  action.  Still  there  is  a  limit  which 
must  not  be  transgressed.  An  undue  quantity  of  such  food 
over-stimulates  the  brain,  particularly  in  the  region  of  the 
propensities,  and  gives  rise  to  improper  action  of  these 
organs.  The  effect  of  animal  diet  taken  in  large  quantities, 
is  well  exhibited  in  the  ferocity  with  which  dogs  who  are 
fed  much  upon  it,  are  soon  inspired. 

Do  phrenologists  assign  any  organ  for  memory  ? 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  189 

They  do  not.  Memory  is  an  attribute  of  ali  the  intel- 
lectual faculties,  and  not  a  primitive  mental  power.  If  it 
were,  a  person  whose  memory  was  good  for  one  thing, 
should  possess  it  in  equal  perfection  for  all;  but  this  is  not 
the  case.  We  meet  with  people  who  have  a  great  memory 
for  words,  and  an  indifferent  one  for  events;  who  recollect 
localities  and  forms  accurately,  but  have  little  power  of 
remembering  music.  This  proves,  that  memory  is  not  a 
separate  faculty,  and  cannot  have  a  special  organ.  A  per- 
son with  a  good  development  of  Language,  has  a  memory 
for  words;  a  second,  with  large  Number,  for  numbers;  a 
third,  with  large  Tune,  for  music;  and  so  on.  Thus,  memory 
is  connected  with  all  the  intellectual  faculties,  and  is  merely 
one  of  the  modes  of  their  action. 

What  opinion  would  you  form  of  a  person  who  has  a 
bad  memory  ? 

Either  that  his  intellect,  wholly  or  in  part,  has  never  been 
cultivated,  or  that  it  is  naturally  very  common-place. 
Memory  being  the  manifestation  of  vigorous  faculties,  it 
follows,  that  when  it  is  bad,  these  faculties  also  must  be 
deficient  in  energy,  either  from  natural  feebleness  or  want 
of  exercise.  No  maxim  is  more  false,  than  that  "  great  wits 
have  short  memories."  The  memory  of  every  man  of  talent 
is,  by  nature,  a  good  one,  in  matters  having  relation  to  his 
talent.  If  he  allows  his  faculties  to  rust,  by  not  employing 
them,  he  has  only  himself  to  blame  for  his  defective  memory. 

Why  does  memory  so  strikingly  fail  in  old  age  f 

Because  the  faculties,  of  which  it  is  a  mode  of  action, 
fail. 

Are  not  Perception,  Attention,  and  Conception,  primitive 
mental  powers  ? 

The  metaphysicians  say  so,  but  Phrenology  denies  the 
assertion.  According  to  our  doctrine,  they  are  merely  differ- 
ent modes  of  action  of  the  knowing  and  reflecting  faculties. 


190  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

Perception  is  the  lowest  degree.  If  I  hear  a  violia  played 
in  the  street,  my  organ  of  Tune  is  stimulated,  and  I  per- 
ceive the  music.  Attention  is  perception  with  an  effort. 
If  my  Tune  is  in  such  a  state  of  vigorous  excitement  as  to 
enable  me  to  compose  or  conceive  music,  the  process  of 
Conception  then  takes  place,  and  the  organ  is  in  the  highest 
state  of  activity.  Perception,  Attention,  and  Conception, 
therefore,  are,  like  Memory,  connected  with  all  the  intellec- 
tual faculties.  They  are  simply  particular  states  of  activity 
of  those  faculties. 

What  is  the  cause  of  enthusiasm? 

It  may  arise  from  various  sources.  Thus,  when  Tune  is 
very  large  and  active,  the  individual  is  enthusiastic  about 
music;  when  Veneration  and  Wonder  predominate,  he  is 
an  enthusiast  in  religion;  with  Combativeness  and  Destruc- 
tiveness  greatly  developed,  he  may  be  an  enthusiastic 
soldier  or  prize-fighter.  Ideality  gives  poetical  enthusiasm, 
and  also  vivifies  that  arising  from  the  other  faculties.  Large 
Hope,  with  small  Cautiousness  and  Causality,  produce  the 
scheming  enthusiast.  And  so  on.  In  all,  an  active  tem- 
perament is  generally  found. 

Give  a  phrenological  explanation  of  grief 

The  faculties  are  so  constituted  with  relation  to  external 
objects  and  occurrences,  as  to  be  affected  agreeably  by  some 
of  them,  and  the  reverse  by  others.  Acquisitiveness,  for  ex- 
ample, is  gratified  by  pecuniary  gain,  and  annoyed  by  loss  : 
Adhesiveness  delights  in  the  society  of  a  friend,  and  suffers 
pain  at  his  death.  Grief,  then,  is  simply  the  painful  affec- 
tion of  these  or  o-ther  faculties;  and,  while  the  excitement 
continues,  no  reasoning  or  consolation  is  able  to  root  out 
the  painful  sensation  from  the  mind.  Grief  is  to  Adhesive- 
ness, or  whatever  organ  is  painfully  affected,  exactly  what 
toothach  is  to  the  nerves  of  the  teeth :  when  the  excitement 
of  these  nerves   subsides,   so   does  the  pain;  and  in  like 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  191 

manner,  when  the  irritated  organs  in  the  brain  return  to 
their  habitual  condition,  the  sorrow  gives  way  to  calmness 
and  peace. 

What  is  envy? 

It  is  the  result  of  Destructiveness  and  offended  Self-Es- 
teem acting  in  combination,  and  producing  hatred  in  conse- 
quence of  another's  success. 

What  is  selfishness  f 

The  quality  of  mind  resulting  from  great  Acquisitiveness 
and  Self-Esteem,  with  deficient  Benevolence. 

What  does  common  sense  depend  upon  ? 

Upon  a  harmonious  arrangement  of  the  Propensities, 
Sentiments,  and  Intellect — where  all  are  so  equally  balanced 
as  not  to  interfere  with  or  run  counter  to  one  another. 
General  Washington  was  an  admirable  instance  of  this 
beautiful  adaptation.  Strictly  speaking,  he  had  no  very 
shining  qualities,  and  little  of  what  might  be  called  genius. 
As  a  general,  he  was  nothing  to  Hannibal,  Napoleon,  or 
Frederic  of  Prussia;  as  a  philosopher,  he  could  not  be 
named  with  Franklin,  and  as  a  legislator  he  has  been  often 
surpassed.  Whence,  then,  arose  his  greatness  ?  The  secret 
lay  in  his  admirable  common  sense :  his  judgment,  from  the 
manner  in  which  his  faculties  were  combined,  was  surprisingly 
sound;  his  moral  sentiments  were  elevated  and  noble;  and 
his  propensities  were  finely  kept  in  subordination.  This  com- 
bination rendered  him  a  truly  great  man,  and  as  such  he  has 
been  universally  recognized  by  the  world.  Common  sense 
is  a  rare  quality,  and  many  persons  are  said  to  possess  it 
who  have  no  claim  whatever  to  such  a  distinction. 

What  does  indolence  arise  from  ? 

From  inactivity  of  brain,  either  natural  to  the  person,  and 
in  constant  or  frequent  existence;  or  accidental,  the  result  of 
indigestion,  bad  health,  or  some  other  temporary  cause. 

What  is  the  origin  of  insipidity  of  character? 


192  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

It  is  connected  with  an  inert  brain  and  small  Destmctive- 
ness,  and  is  most  apt  to  accompany  the  lymphatic  tempera- 
ment. 

How  do  you  explain  the  phenomena  of  laughter  and 
weeping  f 

It  is  not  easy  to  determine  why  certain  mental  states  give 
rise  to  these  and  other  bodily  affections.      The  following 
are  my  views,  and,  after  all,  they  do  not  throw  much  light 
on  the   subject: — When   certain   parts   of   the   body  are 
affected  in  certain  modes,  other  parts  are  simultaneously 
affected,  in  virtue  of  a  mysterious  law  of  the  animal  consti- 
tution, called  the  law  of  sympathy.    When  an  irritating  sub- 
stance is  thrown  into  the  eyes,  or  drawn  up  into  the  nostrils, 
the  diaphragm  and  pectoral  muscles  act  violently,  and  pro- 
duce sneezing.     When  the  lungs  are  irritated  by  mucus  or 
other  foreign  agents  introduced  into  them,  a  similar  result 
follows,  and  we  cough.     When  the  organ  of  Destructive- 
ness  is  roused,  the  facial  muscles  are  affected  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  give  the  countenance  the  natural  language  of 
rage.     A  man  who  suffers  acute  pain,  suddenly  inflicted, 
screams  or  howls.      Terror  makes   the  knees  smite  each 
other.      In  the  same   way,   it   appears,    that  laughter   is 
the  natural  language  of  highly  pleasurable  affections  of  the 
cerebral  organs.  Tickle  a  child,  and  he  laughs  immoderately. 
Give  him  a  piece  of  money;  praise  him;  play  a  trick  before 
him;  please  him  in  any  way,   and  the  result  is  laughter. 
Even  Destructiveness  has  its  sardonic  laugh.     On  the  other 
hand,  weeping  generally  proceeds  from  disagreeable  affec- 
tions of  the  organs.     Beat,  scold,  or  thwart  a  child,  and  he 
cries  bitterly.     The  loss  of  friends  is  a  standard  source  of 
weeping.     Adults  are  less  easily  moved  to  tears  than  chil- 
dren; the  cause  of  which  seems  to  be,  that  they  are  more 
able  to  regulate  the  action  of  their  faculties.     There  is 
another  source  of  tears,  in  moods  called  pathetic,  which  are 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  193 

Tather  agreeable  than  the  reverse.  We  weep  on  reading  an 
affecting  story,  such  as  "Julia  de  Roubigne,"  and  at  behold- 
ing a  pathetic  play  such  as  "  Romeo  and  Juliet,"  and  the 
feeling  is,  upon  the  whole,  a  pleasurable  and  not  a  painful 
one. 

What  is  the  phrenological  theory  of  jealousy  f 
This  state  of  mind  is  a  combination  of  selfishness  with 
suspicion;   that  is  to   say,   it  proceeds  from   Self-Esteem, 
Secretiveness,  and  Cautiousness,  in  combination  with  Ac- 
quisitiveness, or  some  other  faculty  desiring  enjoyment. 
What  does  hypocrisy  result  from? 

From  Secretiveness  in  excess,  with  deficient  Conscien- 
tiousness. To  persist  in  a  course  of  hypocrisy,  a  great  deal 
of  Firmness  is  requisite. 

From  what  does  credulity  proceed  f 
It  arises,  generally,  from  too  much  Veneration,  Wonder, 
or  Hope,  but  its  direction  varies  according  as  one  or  other 
of  these  organs  is  large.  Veneration  renders  people  credu- 
lous with  respect  to  what  is  affirmed  by  those  whom  they 
revere,  Hope  with  respect  to  the  occurrence  of  wished-for 
events,  and  Wonder  with  respect  to  whatever  is  marvellous 
or  mysterious.  Very  large  Self-Esteem,  it  may  be  farther 
observed,  disposes  a  flattered  person  to  credulity,  by  giving 
him  the  idea  that  he  really  merits  the  adulation  bestowed. 
Credulity  is,  in  a  great  measure,  counteracted  by  a  powerful 
and  well-instructed  understanding. 
What  is  the  cause  of  incredulity  ? 

A  deficiency  of  the  organs  which  dispose  to  credulity,  is 
one  cause.  It  may,  however,  arise,  in  many  cases,  from 
ignorance.  Thus,  an  illiterate  clown  laughs  in  your  face,  if 
you  tell  him  that  the  earth  is  shaped  like  an  orange,  and 
moves  round  the  sun;  or  that  the  stars  which  we  see 
twinkling  in  the  firmament,  are,  each  of  them,  a  great  deal 
larger  than  the  earth. 


194  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

Some  people  are  exceedingly  nice,  dainty,  and  finical,  in 
all  they  say  or  do:    What  is  the  cause  of  this? 

It  probably  arises  from  a  great  devolopment  of  Individu- 
ality and  Order,  particularly  where  the  organs  of  the 
Reflective  Faculties  are  moderate,  and  the  person  is  not 
familiar  with  science  and  the  more  arduous  pursuits  of  human 
life. 

From  what  do  impudence  and  forwardness  proceed  ? 

An  individual  in  whom  Combativeness  and  Self-Esteem 
are  large,  and  Secretiveness,  Cautiousness,  Love  of  Appro- 
bation, Benevolence,  and  Conscientiousness  moderate,  will 
certainly  be  forward  and  impudent.  Knowledge  of  the 
world,  by  teaching  the  insignificance  of  self,  tends  to  allay 
impudence. 

What  is  the  cause  of  frivolity  ? 

Frivolity  results  from  a  small  and  very  active  brain.  A 
large-brained  person  may  be  dull,  but  he  can  hardly  be 
frivolous. 

What  is  the  cause  of  presence  of  mind  ? 

Its  chief  elements  are  Combativeness,  Firmness,  Secre- 
tiveness, Self-Esteem,  Hope,  and  probably  Individuality. 
The  first  two  give  courage  and  resolution  to  meet  the  unex- 
pected contingency;  the  third  enables  the  person  to  conceal 
his  feelings  of  alarm  or  astonishment,  if  he  has  any;  the  fourth 
and  fifth  inspire  him  with  confidence,  and  the  last  commu- 
nicates quickness  of  observation,  which  will  make  him  notice 
every  thing  at  a  glance,  and  thus  give  him  an  opportunity 
of  promptly  encountering  whatever  may  occur. 

Why  are  religious  people  of  excellent  moral  character 
sometimes  seized  with  the  distressful  idea  of  their  extreme 
unworthiness  in  the  sight  of  Godf 

This  arises  from  great  Veneration,  and  small  Hope  and 
Self-Esteem.  If  to  such  a  combination  there  is  added  a 
large  development  of  Conscientiousness,  the  person  will  be 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  195 

apt  to  accuse  himself  of  heinous  offences  against  the  Deity, 
and  be  haunted  with  the  idea  of  eternal  punishment.  Fana- 
ticism and  every  form  of  religious  enthusiasm  and  insanity 
are  to  be  traced,  without  difficulty,  to  the  immoderate  or 
ill-regulated  action  of  some  of  the  organs  of  the  brain. 

Some  people  acquire  knowledge  readily,  and  as  readily 
forget  it;  in  others  the  reverse  happens:  How  do  you  explain 
such  differences? 

It  is  supposed  that  they  are  occasioned  by  difference  of 
quality  of  the  brain,  an  active  temperament  giving  quickness 
of  memory,  and  an  inactive  one  rendering  it,  cceteris  paribus, 
slow  but  retentive.  The  causes,  however,  of  these  and  some 
other  differences  of  memory  are  still  under  investigation. 

Why  are  women! s  prejudices  stronger  than  merits  f 

Partly  because  in  the  female  brain  the  reflective  organs 
are  smaller,  and  partly  because  women  mingle  less  with  the 
world,  and  therefore  enjoy  fewer  opportunities  of  having 
their  prepossessions  effaced  by  the  friction  of  society.  If 
men  would  address  themselves  more  to  the  intellect,  and 
less  to  the  vanity  of  females,  the  latter  would  not  only  get 
rid  of  many  prejudices,  but  occupy  a  far  higher  place  as 
intellectual  beings  than  they  can  possibly  do  in  the  present 
constitution  of  things.116  Queen  Elizabeth,  and  the  Cather- 
ines of  Russia,  are  striking  examples  of  female  vigour  of 


116  The  present  century  is  more  distinguished  than  any  which  has  preceded 
it  for  the  production  of  eminent  females.  Witness  Baillie,  Hemans,  Bowles, 
and  Landon,  in  poetry — Edgeworth,  Ferriar,  and  the  Porters,  in  prose, 
fiction — De  Stael  and  Martineau  in  political  disquisition — and  the  illustrious 
name  of  Sommerville,  in  the  physical  sciences.  Such  instances  as  the  latter 
three,  sufficiently  demonstrate  that  even  in  those  walks  where  the  male 
intellect  is  supposed  to  be  peculiarly  strong,  it  may  occasionally  be  rivalled 
by  that  of  the  other  sex  •  and  that  it  would  be  so  much  oftener,  were  women 
more  favourably  circumstanced  for  the  development  of  their  energies,  can 
hardly  admit  of  a  doubt.  Still,  in  a  general  sense,  the  superior  size  of  the 
male  brain  will  always  give  that  sex  a  superiority. 


196  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

intellect;  and  the  present  age  boasts  of  many  illustrious  ex- 
amples, though  in  a  different  sphere  of  life,  and  in  a  different 
walk. 

May  activity  of  brain  exist  with  little  power  ? 

It  often  does.  A  small  brain  in  combination  with  a  high 
nervous  or  sanguine  temperament,  will  display  activity; 
but,  from  its  deficient  dimensions,  power,  or  intensity  of 
function,  will  be  awanting.  To  display  the  latter  quality,  a 
large  brain  is  necessary.  Dr.  Spurzheim  was  of  opinion, 
that  length  of  fibre  in  the  brain  produces  activity,  and  that 
breadth  communicates  power. 

May  a  person  of  common-place  talent  show  power  of  mind? 

He  may,  but  it  will  be  the  power  of  the  propensities, 
and  not  of  the  intellect.  A  dog-fighter  or  an  ignorant 
hackney-coachman,  may,  in  this  sense,  be  said  to  show  more 
cerebral  vigour  than  a  Shakspeare  or  a  Bacon. 

Have  all  nations  the  same  tendency  to  emancipate  them- 
selves from  superstition? 

They  have  not.  Other  things,  such,  as  education  and 
intercourse  with  other  nations,  being  equal,  those  nations 
in  which  the  reflective  organs  exist  in  greatest  perfection, 
will  most  readily  unthrall  themselves  from  superstitious 
absurdities.  The  difficulty  of  getting  quit  of  them,  however, 
must  be  doubly  great,  even  with  good  intellect,  where  a 
large  development  of  Wonder  and  Veneration  is  common, 
as  is  the  case  with  the  Hindoos  and  other  Orientals. 

What  nations  possess  the  most  intellectual  form  of  head? 

Those  undoubtedly  which  are  of  that  variety  denominated 
the  white  or  Caucasian.  Nations  with  this  form  of  head, 
have  a  strong  tendency  to  progress  in  refinement;  while  most 
other  races  remain  in  their  primitive  state  of  barbarism,  or, 
at  most,  never  go  much  beyond  it.  If  the  Negroes,  the 
American  Indians,  the  Hottentots,  and  other  savage  tribes, 
had  possessed  the  European  form  of  brain,  they  would  have 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  197 

civilized  themselves  many  centuries  ago,  and  been  in  every 
respect  on  a  par  with  the  whites.  On  the  contrary,  they 
have  done  nothing*  for  themselves,  and  the  little  that  has 
been  done  for  them  is  the  work  of  others.  Some  of  these 
races  are  so  deficient  in  intellect,  that  it  has  been  found  im- 
practicable to  educate  them:  such  seems  to  be  the  case  with 
the  aborigines  of  New  Holland,  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  the 
United  States  of  America.  In  the  white  races,  on  the  con- 
trary, even  though  placed  under  the  most  unfavourable  circum- 
stances for  moral  and  intellectual  improvement,  as  in  Turkey 
and  modern  Greece,  we  can  see  the  seeds  of  all  the  noblest 
faculties  of  our  nature;  and  no  sooner  is  the  dead  weight  of 
tyranny  and  superstition  which  prevents  their  growth 
removed,  than  they  burst  into  all  the  promise  of  a  fruitful 
harvest.  The  Mongolian  form  of  head  has  an  intellectual 
development  between  that  of  the  Caucasian  and  Ethiopian; 
and,  accordingly,  we  find  that  some  of  the  nations  which 
possess  it,  such  as  the  Chinese  and  Japanese,  have  made 
considerable  strides  in  civilization;  but  having  attained  this, 
they  continue  stationary,  as  we  at  present  find  them,  and 
seem  incapable  of  advancing  a  step  farther,  at  least  by  their 
own  efforts.  When  the  frontal  and  coronal  regions  of  the 
brain  are  generally  well  developed  in  a  nation,  its  tendency 
will  be  towards  intellectual  and  moral  pursuits;  and  unless 
some  strong  external  counteracting  agency  is  at  work,  the 
people  will  speedily  become  civilized.  Where  the  posterior 
and  basilar  regions  predominate,  the  nation  will  be  governed 
by  the  lower  propensities,  and  civilization  be  an  imperfect 
process.  In  the  following  sketches  we  have  a  Carib  and  a 
Teutonic  head:  the  latter  is  the  type  of  head  prevailing  among 
the  civilized  nations  of  Europe,  and  its  immense  superiority 
in  the  regions  of  sentiment  and  intellect  is  obvious  at  a 
single  glance.     Ungovernable  propensities,  and  wretched 


198 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 


morality  and  intelligence,  are  the  distinguishing  features  of  a 
people  with  the  Carib  form  of  head. 


Carib. 


Teutonic. 


Are  any  of  the  lower  animals  gifted  with  reason? 

Some  of  them  are  so,  although  it  is  common  to  deny 
them  the  possession  of  this  quality.  If  a  dog  leaps  upon  a 
table  and  is  well  whipped  for  doing  so,  why  does  he  cease  to 
repeat  the  offence  ?  Simply  because  his  reason  tells  him 
that  a  repetition  of  it  will  lead  to  renewed  punishment. 

Have  all  portions  of  the  human  brain  corresponding 
portions  in  the  brains  of  the  lower  animals  9 

No.  The  convolutions  in  which  Veneration,  Wonder, 
Conscientiousness,  and  Ideality  reside,  are  peculiar  to  the 
human  brain. 

Is  not  Phrenology  a  difficult  science,  seeing  that  it  requires 
attention  to  so  many  circumstances,  such  as  age,  tempera- 
ment, health  of  brain,  and  education  f 

Phrenology  is  not  difficult  to  those  who  will  take  the 
trouble  of  studying  it  as  it  ought  to  be  studied;  and  even  if 
it  were  difficult,  this  is  no  argument  against  its  utility  and 
truth.  With  regard  to  the  number  of  circumstances  to  which 
it  demands  attention,  the  science  is  not  otherwise  situated 
than*  any  other.  They  are  part  and  parcel  of  itself;  they 
are  certain  of  the  conditions  that  belong  to  it :  and  to  study 
phrenology  without  attending  to  them,  would  be  as  absurd 
as  to  attempt  to  get  a  proper  knowledge  of   physiology 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  199 

without  anatomy,  or  of  astronomy  without  mathematics. 
Phrenology  regards  not  merely  the  form  and  size  of  the 
brain,  as  is  often  ignorantly  supposed,  but  also  the  diversified 
causes  which  affect  its  activity  and  vigour,  the  laws  accord- 
ing to  which  those  causes  operate,  and,  in  general  every 
circumstance  tending  to  influence  the  mental  powers.117 

Does  not  Phrenology  lead  to  materialism  ? 

If  by  materialism  is  meant  the  identity  of  mind  and  matter, 
it  leads  to  nothing  of  the  kind;  phrenologists  expressly 
declaring  their  belief  that  the  brain  is  not  the  mind,  but 
simply  the  organized  medium  through  which,  in  this  life,  it 
manifests  itself.  Gall  and  Spurzheim  were  immaterialists, 
and  so  are  the  most  eminent  of  their  disciples,  including  Mr. 
Combe.118 


117  The  opponents  of  Phrenology  are  continually  disregarding  these 
conditions.  Phrenologists  positively  declare,  that  no  correct  inference  can 
be  deduced  in  cases  of  old  age  and  diseased  brain;  yet  we  had  lately  the 
skull  of  Dean  Swift  brought  forward  as  an  evidence  against  the  science, 
in  the  face  of  the  notorious  fact,  that  the  Dean  died  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
eight,  and  had  been  subject  to  loss  of  memory,  and  frantic  fits  of  passion, 
eleven  years  before  his  death,  and  that  the  last  five  years  of  his  life  were 
passed  in  idiocy.  The  most  amusing  thing  connected  with  such  cases  is, 
that  phrenologists  are  accused  of  always  having  a  loop-hole  to  escape  by. 
If  they  had  made  it  one  of  the  principles  of  the  science,  that  from  an  old  and 
diseased  brain,  it  could  be  inferred  what  sort  of  character  the  individual  pos- 
sessed in  youth  and  health,  andif  such  a  test  were  found,  on  trial,  completely 
to  fail,  the  only  inference  would  be,  that  the  phrenologists  were  wrong; 
but  when  they  distinctly  state  the  conditions  of  their  science,  what  right  has 
any  man,  in  testing  it,  to  overlook  these  conditions,  and  then  set  up  a  cry 
about  loop-holes  ?  If  a  medical  man  were  asked  how  much  laudanum  might 
be  safely  given  to  an  adult,  and  were  to  answer,  forty  drops,  would  he  be 
responsible  if  the  person  who  asked  him  were  to  give  the  same  quantity  to 
a  child,  and  thus  destroy  it?  As  well  mighty  this  person  accuse  him  of 
getting  out  by  a  loop-hole,  when  he  declared  that  the  dose  was  distinctly 
mentioned  as  for  an  adult,  and  not  for  a  child.  If  the  opponents  of  Phreno- 
logy choose  to  try  this  science  by  rules  which  its  professors  positively  re- 
nounce, they  are  acting  a  part  equally  illogical  and  absurd. 

118  The  following  sensible  remarks  from  a  religious  publication,  show 
the  absurdity  ^of  this  charge.    "  This  doctrine  may,  or  it  may  not,  be  true. 


200  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS* 

Does  Phrenology  >  by  making  dispositions  depend  upon  the 
shape  of  the  brain,  lead  to  the  destruction  of  responsibility  ? 

Phrenology  leaves  the  question  of  responsibility  precisely 
as  it  found  it.119  No  person  now  pretends  that  every  one  is, 
by  nature,  equally  talented  and  virtuous.  The  Scriptures 
distinctly  recognize  a  difference  of  moral  and  intellectual 
gifts,  when  they  announce,  that  "  unto  whomsoever  much 
is  given,  of  him  shall  be  much  required;"  clearly  declaring, 
that  God  did  not  make  every  one  alike,  and  that  He  would 
exact  from  us  in  proportion  to  the  degree  with  which  we 
were  gifted  with  His  bounties — demanding  one  talent  from 
one  man,  and  two  from  another.     The  Scriptures  thus  point 


but  it  certainly  does  not  appear  to  us  to  be  fairly  liable  to  the  charge  of 
materialism.  That  certain  cerebral  organs  are  connected  with  certain 
mental  faculties  does  not  appear  to  us  to  involve  materialism,  any  more 
than  the  fact  that  the  eye  is  the  organ  of  seeing,  or  the  ear  of  hearing;  cer- 
tainly not  more  than  the  old  and  very  widely  entertained  supposition  that 
the  brain  is  the  seat  of  thought.  That  the  soul  is  connected  with  a  set  of 
material  organs,  through  which  it  holds  communion  with  the  external  world, 
and  that  that  connexion,  though  it  may  undergo  very  great  modifications, 
is  destined  to  endure  for  ever,  are  doctrines  which  nobody  either  denies,  or 
supposes  to  involve  materialism.  And  what  more  materialism  is  involved 
in  the  supposition  that  a  particular  organ  is  connected  with  a  particular 
faculty,  we  do  not  see. — Edinburgh  Christian  Instructor. 

119  I  have  elsewhere  spoken  of  the  attacks  made  by  some  persons  upon 
modern  geologists,  on  the  ground  of  their  discoveries  being  hostile  to  re- 
ligion.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Sedgwick  chastises  the  presumptuous  ignorance  of 
these  individuals  with  well-merited  severity.  "  There  is  another  class  of 
men,"  says  he,  (S  who  pursue  geology  by  a  nearer  road,  and  are  guided  by 
a  different  light.  Well-intentioned  they  may  be,  but  they  have  betrayed  no 
small  self-sufficiency,  along  with  a  shameful  want  of  knowledge  of  the  fun- 
damental facts  they  presume  to  write  about;  hence  they  have  dishonoured 
the  literature  of  this  country  by  Mosaic  Geology,  Scripture  Geology,  and 
other  works  of  cosmogony  with  kindred  titles,  wherein  they  have  over- 
looked the  end  and  aim  of  revelation,  tortured  the  book  of  life  out  of  its 
proper  meaning,  and  wantonly  contrived  to  bring  about  a  collision  between 
natural  phenomena  and  the  Word  of  God."  These  remarks  apply  with 
equal  force  to  the  attempt  which  has  more  than  once  been  made  to  place 
Phrenology  at  variance  with  religion. 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  201 

out  a  marked  difference  of  endowment  among  men,  and 
Phrenology  does  no  more.  For  such  differences  there  must 
be  some  cause,  and  the  science  in  question  ascribes  them  to 
peculiarities  of  physical  organization  in  the  brain;  but  to 
say  that  this  leads  to  irresponsibility  more  than  any  other 
doctrine  which  admits  of  natural  differences  of  mental  en- 
dowment, is  to  assert  a  palpable  and  childish  absurdity.120 

Matter  being  subject  to  death,  Phrenology,  by  connecting 
the  mind  with  it,  surely  militates  against  the  doctrine  of  the 
immortality  of  the  soul  ? 

In  reality,  it  does  nothing  of  the  kind.  All  that  Phreno- 
logists contend  for  is,  that  in  the  present  life,  material 
organs  are  necessary  for  the  mental  manifestations,  just  as 
eyes  and  ears  are  necessary  for  sight  and  hearing,  or  a 
stomach  for  digestion.  The  opposite  doctrine,  that  in  this 
state  of  being  the  mind  acts  independently  of  organization, 
does,  in  reality,  militate  against  the  immortality  of  the  soul, 
and  degrades  the  mind  to  a  level  with  the  dust;  for  it  makes 
the  soul  a  changeable  essence,  subject  to  infinite  alterations — 

120  "  Simple  and  unprejudiced  observation  of  human  life  is,  we  imagine, 
sufficient  to  prove  the  innateness  of  the  faculties,  and  that  the  individuals  of 
the  race  are  endowed  with  them  in  different  degrees :  Phrenology  merely 
confirms  the  results  of  observation,  and  elucidates  the  causes  of  perceived 
and  indubitable  phenomena.  It  is. absurd,  therefore,  to  object  to  Phrenology 
in  particular  on  the  score  of  necessity,  and  to  allow  the  other  systems  to 
remain  undisturbed  as  perfectly  harmless.  If  the  new  system  leads  to  ne- 
cessity, it  is  impossible  to  avoid  the  conclusion,  that  the  old  systems  lead  to 
it  also.  Christianity  itself— which  teaches  the  innateness  of  human  dispo- 
sitions, and  the  inherent  variety  of  their  force  among  individuals— which 
teaches  that  '  the  tree  is  known  by  his  fruit,'  and  that '  a  good  man,' out  of 
the  good  treasure  of  the  heart,  bringeth  forth  good  things,  and  an  evil  man, 
out  of  the  evil  treasure,  bringeth  forth  evil  things '  (Matt.  xii.  33,  35.), 
— Christianity  itself,  we  say,  is  equally  liable  to  the  charge.  The  objectors 
ought  to  be  aware,  that  if  they  could  prove  Phrenology  to  have,  in  this  re- 
spect, an  evil  tendency,  they  would,  at  the  very  same  time,  inevitably 
demonstrate  the  evil  tendency  of  the  Christian  religion.  Unless  they  are 
prepared  for  this  result,  which  possibly  has  not  occurred  to  them,  they  will 
act  wisely  in  quitting  the  field." — Phrenological  Journal^  vol.  viii.  p.  547. 

I  2 


20*2  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

weak  and  fickle  in  infancy,  vigorous  in  manhood,  im- 
becile in  old  age,  and  not  unfrequently  afflicted  with 
idiocy  and  madness.  If  an  immaterial  spirit  be  liable  to 
such  changes,  why  may  it  not  be  subject  to  death  itself? 
Those,  therefore,  who  oppose  Phrenology  on  the  above 
ground,  are  casting  aside  a  doctrine  which  does  not  bear 
against  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  blindly  grasping  at 
one  which  almost  necessarily  infers  its  destructibility. 

Is  not  madness  a  disease  of  the  mind? 

Not  such,  properly  speaking,  although  it  is  customary  so 
to  consider  it.  Madness  arises  from  a  distempered  state  of 
the  organic  apparatus  by  which  the  mind  works;  it  is  a 
symptom  of  diseased  brain,  just  as  indigestion  is  of  dis- 
ordered stomach.  Considered  as  a  separate  entity,  we  may 
as  well  speak  of  the  death  of  the  mind,  as  of  its  disease. 
In  short,  we  ascribe  madness  to  an  unhealthy  state  of  the 
instrument  which  the  mind  makes  use  of;  as,  in  looking 
through  a  telescope,  the  glass  of  which  is  soiled,  we  see 
objects  obscurely,  not  from  any  defect  of  the  objects  them- 
selves, but  from  their  being  seen  through  an  imperfect 
medium. 

Can  the  particular  form  of  madness  under  which  a  per- 
son labours,  be  surmised  by  examination  of  his  head? 

This  may  often  be  done  with  wonderful  accuracy.  If  an 
organ  in  the  head  of  an  insane  person  predominates  veiy 
much  over  the  others,  we  may  infer,  with  every  chance  of 
being  right  in  our  conjecture,  that  this  organ  is  in  a  state  of 
morbid  excitement,  and  that  therein  lies  the  disease.  If  a 
patient  in  a  mad-house  is  presented  to  us  with  an  inordinate 
development  of  the  organ  of  Cautiousness,  there  is  every 
likelihood  that  he  labours  under  excessive  apprehension,  and 
great  lowness  of  spirits.  If  with  this  we  find  Veneration 
amply  displayed,  he  probably  is  afflicted  with  religious 
melancholy.     If  Self-Esteem  is  large,  he,  in  all  likelihood, 


MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS.  203 

supposes  himself  some  great  personage ;  and  so  on  with 
respect  to  other  organs — the  largest  being  always  the  most 
likely  to  get  into  a  state  of  disease. 

What  class  of  persons  are  likely  to  be  the  most  bitter 
enemies  of  Phrenology  ? 

Those  who  themselves  possess  a  defective  moral  or  intel- 
lectual development.  Some  men  of  great  talent  and  perfect 
integrity,  have  opposed  the  science  through  ignorance;  but 
their  opposition,  so  far  from  being  of  an  immitigable  charac- 
ter, would  disappear  at  once  before  the  light  of  a  proper 
knowledge  of  the  subject.  This  has  already  happened  in 
many  instances;  and  some  who  formerly  ridiculed  Phren- 
ology as  an  idle  chimera,  are  now  among  the  most  able  and 
enthusiastic  of  its  supporters.  Where  the  development, 
however,  is  morally  or  intellectually  defective,  the  opposi- 
tion will  continue,  in  the  face  of  any  evidence,  however 
strong.121 

What  is  the  main  object  of  Phrenology? 

This  is  made  sufficiently  apparent  by  the  whole  tenor  of 
the  preceding  pages,  and  hardly  admits  of  a  condensed 
reply.  It  may  be  stated  briefly,  that  the  purpose  of  the 
science  is  to  give  man  a  knowledge  of  himself;  to  point  out 


121  "  Neither  Homer's  Thersites,  whose  cranium  was  'misshapen,'  nor 
any  of  Shakspeare's  personages,  with  'foreheads  villanously  low,'  could 
have  heen  easily  proselyted  to  the  doctrines  of  Phrenology.  The  reason  is 
obvious.  Their  own  heads  would  not  have  'passed  muster.'  Their  belief, 
therefore,  would  have  been  self-condemnatory.  And  as  no  man  is  bound,  in 
common  law,  to  give  evidence  against  himself,  neither  is  it  very  consistent 
with  the  laws  of  human  nature,  for  any  one  to  believe,  more  especially  to 
avow  his  belief,  to  his  own  disparagement.  As  the  hump-backed,  knock- 
kneed,  and  bandy-legged,  have  an  instinctive  hostility  to  the  exercise  of 
gymnastics,  it  is  scarcely  to  be  expected  that  the  flat-heads,  apple-heads, 
and  sugar-loaf-heads,  will  be  favourably  disposed  to  that  of  Phrenology. 
Nor  will  those  whose  brains  are  so  ponderous  behind,  and  light  before,  that 
their  heads  seem  in  danger  of  tilting  backward." — Professor  Caldwell's  New- 
Views  of  Penitentiary  Discipline,  fyc.    Philadelphia,  1829. 


204  MISCELLANEOUS  QUESTIONS. 

the  true  method  of  studying  the  mind,  and  of  directing  and 
applying  its  energies  to  proper  uses.  Phrenology  is  a  study 
which  tends  eminently  to  virtue;  in  particular,  it  teaches 
toleration  and  mutual  forbearance.  By  demonstrating  the 
natural  variety  of  human  dispositions  and  talents,  and  the 
innateness  of  our  strongest  motives,  it  loudly  urges  us  to 
judge  charitably  of  the  actions  of  others,  and  to  make 
allowance  for  their  imperfections — to  lay  upon  no  individual 
more  than  he  is  able  to  bear,  and  to  desist  from  the  mad 
attempts  which  have  so  often  been  made  to  assimilate  to 
one  common  standard  the  opinions  of  the  whole  community. 
On  the  philosophy  of  education,  and  on  the  treatment  of 
criminals  and  the  insane,  Phrenology  throws  a  flood  of  light. 


APPENDIX. 


No.  I. 

The  relative  size  of  the  different  organs  is  designated  by  the  Edin- 
burgh phrenologists  as  follows : — 


1. 

2,  idiocy. 

3. 

4,  very  small. 

5. 

6,  small. 

7. 


The  figure  12,  therefore,  annexed  to  the  name  of  an  organ,  sig- 
nifies that  it  is  "  rather  full ; "  19  means  that  it  is  between  "  large" 
and  "  very  large ;"  and  so  on. 

The  temperament  of  the  individual  whose  head  is  examined,  is 
also  noted;  and  his  education,  as  well  as  the  circumstances  in  which 
he  has  been  surrounded,  ought  to  be  inquired  into. 


No.  II. 


8,  rather  small. 

15. 

9. 

16, 

rather  large 

10,  moderate. 

17. 

11. 

18, 

large. 

12,  rather  full. 

19. 

13. 

20, 

very  large. 

14,  full. 

PHRENOLOGICAL  ANALYSIS  OF  THE  CHARACTER  OF  GEORGE 
CAMPBELL,  EXECUTED  FOR  MURDER. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  1835,  George  Campbell  was  executed 
at  Glasgow  for  murder.  As  the  crime  was  characterised  by  pecu- 
liarly atrocious  features,  and  his  conduct,  on  receiving  sentence, 
marked  by  unparalleled  ferocity,  I  was  anxious  to  ascertain  how  far 
the  developments,  in  a  phrenological  point  of  view,  harmonised 
with  so  strongly  marked  and  singular  a  character.  Having  asked 
permission  of  the  Magistrates  to  take  a  cast  of  his  head  after  death, 
the  request  was,  in  the  most  liberal  manner,  at  once  granted,  and  a 


206  APPENDIX. 


cast  was  accordingly  taken.  On  examining  this  cast,  I,  as  well  as 
every  one  conversant  with  Phrenology  by  whom  it  was  seen,  per- 
ceived at  once  that  it,  in  a  most  remarkable  degree,  confirmed  the 
doctrines  of  Gall.  Conceiving,  however,  that  a  previous  know- 
ledge of  the  individual  might  have  had  some  influence  in  swaying 
our  judgments,  and  making  us  see  a  greater  analogy  between  the 
physical  organization  and  the  mental  character  than  was  actually 
warranted  by  circumstances,  I  came  to  the  resolution  of  sending 
the  cast  to  an  eminent  phrenologist  in  Edinburgh,  for  the  purpose 
of  learning  what  inference  he — without  any  bias,  and  in  perfect 
ignorance  of  the  person  from  whom  it  was  taken — would  draw  from 
it.  To  prevent  the  possibility  of  any  suspicion  being  aroused  on 
his  part,  the  cast  was  forwarded,  not  to  him,  but  to  another  gentle- 
man, who  was  requested  to  deliver  it  into  his  hands,  without  saying 
whose  head  it  was,  by  whom  it  was  sent,  or  from  what  quarter  it 
came.  To  make  assurance  doubly  sure,  that  portion  of  the  neck 
at  the  angle  of  the  jaw,  marked  by  the  pressure  of  the  rope,  was 
carefully  removed.  No  external  mark  was  thus  left  to  indicate 
that  the  person  had  perished  by  strangulation,  nor  did  the  counte- 
nance display  the  slightest  appearance  of  violent  death.  This  fact 
may  be  verified  by  any  person  who  chooses  to  examine  the  cast. 
The  gentleman  to  whom  it  was  sent,  performed  his  part  with  scru- 
pulous fidelity,  and  handed  the  cast  to  the  object  of  its  destination. 

«  Mr. ,"  says  he,  "  had  no  information  except  what  he  has 

prefixed  to  his  paper,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  the  cast 
was  that  of  a  dead  man."  This  information  refers  to  the  age,  tem- 
perament, and  education  of  the  criminal — circumstances  which 
must,  in  the  generality  of  cases,  be  known  before  any  thing  like  a 
just  deduction  can  be  drawn. 

Campbell  was  of  Irish  parentage.  In  appearance  he  was  a  good- 
looking  and  rather  prepossessing  young  man.  In  stature  he  stood 
about  five  feet  seven  inches,  was  cleanly  made,  and  rather  athletic. 
While  very  young  he  entered  the  army,  where  he  remained  seven 
years.  Of  his  general  conduct  there,  I  am  unable  to  learn  any 
thing  that  can  be  depended  upon ;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  he  was  at 
one  time  severely  flogged  for  striking  his  sergeant.  On  leaving  the 
army,  he  went  to  his  father's  house,  but  soon  left  it  in  consequence  of 
some  family  quarrels.  He  then  took  up  his  lodgings  with  a  woman 
named  Hanlin,  with  whose  daughter  (and  with  the  mother  also,  if 
accounts  can  be  trusted,)  he  lived  in  a  state  of  fornication.  Han- 
lin's  house  was  a  most  abandoned  one.  Lord  Meadowbank,  one 
of  the  judges  before  whom  Campbell  was  tried,  pronounced  it, 
with  great  truth  and  force  of  language,  "  a  den  of  infamy,  and  the 
old  woman  the  presiding  demon  of  the  place."  It  was  for  murder- 
ing this  woman  that  Campbell  paid  the  forfeit  of  his  life.  He  had 
frequently  threatened  to  murder  her,  and  one  day  carried  his  pur- 


APPENDIX.  207 


pose  into  effect,  by  literally,  and  in  the  most  determined  and  fero- 
cious manner,  trampling  her  to  death.  After  committing  this 
crime,  he  made  no  attempt  to  escape,  but  went  and  informed  the 
neighbours  that  the  woman  had  killed  herself  by  drinking.  He 
was  apprehended,  tried,  and  convicted,  very  much  to  his  own  aston- 
ishment; and  when  sentence  was  passed  upon  him,  he  burst  forth 
into  a  volley  of  imprecations  against  the  judges,  such  as  never  be- 
fore polluted  a  court  of  justice — threatening,  at  the  same  time, 
with  horrible  language,  to  strike  the  criminal  officers  who  offered 
to  remove  him.  Those  present  on  the  occasion  describe  his  con- 
duct as  unutterably  horrible  and  disgusting.  On  being  taken  to 
the  condemned  cell,  he  seemed  more  attentive  to  his  food  than  any 
thing  else,  complained  bitterly  of  the  jail  allowance,  and  expressed 
great  satisfaction  when  supplied  with  food  of  a  better  quality.  He 
was  grossly  ignorant,  obdurate,  and  impenitent.  The  respectable 
Catholic  clergymen  by  whom  he  was  attended  (for  he  belonged  to 
the  Church  of  Rome)  had  great  difficulty  in  making  him  compre- 
hend almost  any  thing.  To  the  last  he  denied  his  guilt.  He  may 
have  acknowledged  it  privately  to  his  confessor,  but  this,  of 
course,  is  not  known.  He  was  vain  of  his  person,  and  inclined 
to  dress  neatly.  As  a  proof  of  this,  he  devoted  a  quarter  of  an  hour, 
immediately  previous  to  his  execution,  to  curling  his  hair.  On 
mounting  the  scaffold,  he  displayed  wonderful  firmness,  walking 
erectly,  tossing  his  head  back  in  a  theatrical  manner,  and  having  a 
bold  swaggering  appearance.  All  accounts  agree  in  representing 
his  life,  so  far  as  it  is  known,  as  rude,  turbulent,  and  debauched. 
To  the  young  woman  with  whom  he  cohabited,  he  was  attached, 
although  this  did  not  prevent  him  from  occasionally  beating  her,  I 
suppose  in  his  drunken  fits.  The  attachment  was  mutual  on  her 
part,  and  remained  un weakened  even  after  he  murdered  her  mother; 
she  visited  him  in  jail  subsequently  to  his  condemnation,  and  seemed 
much  affected  by.  his  situation.  Having  made  these  preliminary 
remarks,  let  us  now  turn  to  the  phrenological  analysis.  It  Js  as 
follows,  and  sufficiently  vindicates  the  skill  and  acumen  of  the  gen- 
tleman by  whom  it  was  made : — 

Plaster  cast — size  a  little  above  average — temperament  nervous- 
bilious — age  25 — uneducated — dissipated. 

DEVELOPMENT. 

Instinct  of  foody  (Alimentiveness)  large,    .         .         .  18 

Amativeness,  large, 19 

Philoprogenitiveness,  very  large,        ....  20 

Concentrativeness,  full, 14 


208 


APPENDIX. 


Adhesiveness,  large, 
Combativeness,  very  largre, 
Destructiveness,  very  large, 
Secretiveness,  very  large,     . 
Acquisitiveness,  large, 
Constructiveness,  small, 
Self-Esteem,  extra  large, 
Love  of  Approbation,  very  large, 
Cautiousness,  rather  large, 
Benevolence,  moderate, 
Veneration,  large,     . 
Firmness,  very  large, 
Hope,  large,    . 

Conscientiousness,  rather  full, 
Wonder,  large, 
Ideality,  moderate, 
Wit,  moderate, 
Imitation,  rather  full,  . 


19 
20 
20 
20 
18 
8 
22 
20 
16 
11 
18 
20 
18 
13 
18 
11 
11 
12 


INTELLECT. 


Individuality,  rather  large, 
Form,  full, 
Size,  full, 
Weight,  full, 
Colouring,  full, 
Locality,  large, 
Number,  rather  full, 
Order,  large, 
Eventuality,  full, 
Time,  large, 
Tune,  large,    . 
Language,  rather  large, 
Comparison,  moderate,     . 
Causality,  moderate,     . 


17 

14 
15 
14 
14 

19 
12 
18 
15 
19 
18 
16 
10 
11 


APPENDIX.  209 

The  following  is  an  accurate  profile  of  the  head  from  which 
these  developments  were  taken  : — 


CHARACTER  INFERRED. 

I  was  struck  with  the  resemblance  of  this  cast  to  that  of  the  too 
famous  Thurtell,  in  the  Phrenological  Society's  collection;  only 
that  Thurtell's  Benevolence  was  larger,  and  his  head  generally 
larger ;  and  on  turning  to  the  development  preserved  of  Thurtell 
in  the  Phrenological  Journal,  vol.  I.  page  328,  (but  not  till  I  had 
noted  down  that  of  the  cast  sent  me,)  I  found  them  to  agree  to  a 
great  extent.  The  individual  from  whom  this  cast  was  taken, 
being  uneducated,  and  having  possessed  an  active  temperament, 
would  give  unrestrained  vent  to  a  degree  of  animalism  and  sel- 
fishness, which  must  have  rendered  him  a  nuisance  to  his  neigh- 
bourhood. He  has  the  organization  of  gross  sensuality  in  all  its 
three  points.  Even  when  sober,  he  had  a  tendency  to  brawling 
and  bullying — a  compound  of  impudent  assurance,  self-conceit, 
vanity,  insolence,  tyranny,  obstinacy,  violence,  and  cruelty  ;  but, 
when  drunk,  a  strait-waiscoat,  or  a  cell  in  the  police-office, 
would  be  absolutely  necessary.  He  would  be  loud,  boisterous, 
opinionative,  and  contentious,  and  his  oaths  and  imprecations 
would  be  horrible ;  while  his  abuse  would  have  in  it  an  energy, 
malignity,  and  grossness,  peculiarly  his  own.  His  selfishness  would 
be  unmitigated  ;  grasping,  without  ever  giving,  would  characterise 
him.     His  indifference  to  the  misfortunes  or  sufferings  of  others 


210  APPENDIX. 


would  be  marked;  and  scenes  of  suffering,  such  as  executions, 
floggings,  surgical  operations,  prize  and  cock  fights,  would  greatly 
delight  him.  A  single  word,  which  he  felt  as  slighting  or  ridi- 
culing him,  would  be  returned  by  a  blow  ;  but  many  an  insult 
he  would  put  on  others,  and  in  many  a  brawl  he  would  be  engaged. 
Nevertheless,  he  would  not  expose  himself  to  unnecessary  dan- 
ger, but  would  calculate  his  adversary's  strength  before  he  pro- 
ceeded to  beat  and  bruise  him  or  her ;  for  his  utter  want  of 
refinement  and  generosity  would  make  no  difference  between 
sex  or  age,  saving  always  the  very  young — for  the  only  soft  cor- 
ner of  his  heart  seems  to  have  been  love  of  children.  He  was 
cunning,  and  probably  a  measureless  liar,  both  in  his  vain-glorious 
boastings,  and  for  all  other  selfish  ends.  He  was  a  plotter  and 
manceuvrer ;  but  although,  from  miserable  reasoning  powers,  his 
schemes  would  be  ill  laid,  he  would  have  great  pride  in  being 
thought  a  "deep  dog."  He  was  superstitious,  a  lover  of  the 
marvellous,  and  accessible  to  religious  terrors ;  a  ghost  would  set- 
tle him  in  his  most  boisterous  moments.  He  would  court  society, 
and  dislike  solitude,  seeking,  of  course,  to  be  always  the  cock  of  the 
company  ;  for  there  would  be  about  him  a  great  share  of  vulgar 
self-importance. 

The  knowing  faculties  seem  good,  and  must  have  given  con- 
siderable aptness  and  quickness.  The  Locality  would  give  a 
roaming  turn,  and  a  knowledge  of  places.  There  must  have 
been  order  and  arrangement,  which  might  show  themselves  in 
neatness  and  tidiness  in  dress.  There  is  Music,  or  the  love  of  it 
strong ;  and  Time  so  largely  endowed  as  not  only  to  aid  Music, 
but  to  give  the  power  of  telling  the  hour  at  any  time  without 
looking  at  the  clock.  The  reflecting  faculties  are  very  poor  in- 
deed, which  would  produce  a  deficiency  in  sense,  and  an  utter 
blindness  to  the  simplest  consequences.  This  defect  would  ren- 
der abortive  many  a  plan  to  deceive.  Gambling  and  betting 
would  have  for  this  unfortunately  organized  being  peculiar  charms. 
He  loved  money,  and  would  not  be  scrupulous  about  the  means  of 
getting  it ;  while  every  farthing  of  it  would  go  for  selfish  and 
chiefly  sensual  indulgences. 

The  cast  appearing  to  have  been  taken  after  death,  I  asked  and 
was  informed  that  the  individual  is  dead,  and  "  has  ceased  from 
troubling ;"  and  I  congratulate  all  who  knew  him  on  the  rid- 
dance. I  should  like  to  learn  how  he  died — it  could  not  be 
peacefully  in  his  bed.  Query — Was  he  hanged  for  beating  out 
some  one's  brains,  or  otherwise  murdering  with  ruthless  brutality  ? 

If  such  was  his  fate,  I  have  only  to  say,  that  in  that  enlightened 
system  of  criminal  treatment  to  which  the  country  is  coming,  be- 
cause it  must,  it  needed  not  to  have  been  so.  A  penitentiary  de- 
partment will  come  to  be  alloted  for  the  constitutionally  violent, 


APPENDIX.  211 

brutal,  and  cruel,  who  will  be  put  within  walls  for  a  long  course  of 
reformatory  education  on  the  first  conviction  by  which  their  dan- 
gerous character  is  clearly  proved.  In  a  penitentiary,  founded  on 
the  humane  principle  of  reformation  without  inflictive  vengeance, 
even  such  a  being  as  this  might  have  been  humanized  :  at  least, 
he  would  not  have  been  permitted  to  annoy  and  endanger  society, 
by  a  long  course  of  violence — to  end,  perhaps,  in  murder. 

REMARKS  ON  THE  FOREGOING  BY  R.  MACNISH. 

I  am  doubtful  whether  Secretiveness  and  Acquisitiveness  are  so 
large  as  is  given  here.  The  thickness  of  the  temporal  muscle  not 
being  evident  from  a  cast,  has  probably  led  the  very  able  writer  of 
the  foregoing  to  over-rate  them.  He  seems  also  to  have  made 
both  Time  and  Tune  larger  than  is  justified  by  the  appearance  of 
the  cast.  Some,  who  have  seen  the  cast,  have  objected  that  the 
distance  from  the  ear  to  Individuality  is  larger  than  we  might  have 
been  prepared  for;  but  Phrenologists  have  long  ceased  to  regard  that 
measurement  as  any  indication  of  the  power  of  the  intellect.  The 
distance  may  be  caused  by  a  large  middle  lobe  of  the  brain,  as  is 
the  case  in  the  present  instance.  The  proper  way  to  ascertain  the 
point,  is  to  look  how  far  forward  the  anterior  lobe  projects  from 
Constructiveness.  The  great  size  of  Combativeness  and  Destruc- 
tiveness  (both  20)  uncontrolled  by  his  Benevolence,  (which  ranks 
only  so  high  as  11,)  and  called  into  fierce  action  by  liquor,  easily 
accounts  for  the  murder.  His  astonishment  at  the  verdict  of 
"  guilty"  probably  arose  from  deficiency  in  the  power  of  under- 
standing the  force  of  testimony,  owing  to  the  smallness  of  the  re- 
flecting organs.  Ignorant  people  are  very  apt  to  indulge  in  absurd 
hopes.  His  great  Love  of  Approbation,  and  his  large  Order,  suf- 
ficiently explain  the  foppish  freak  of  arranging  his  hair  in  curls  at 
such  a  time,  as  well  as  the  marked  neatness  of  his  dress  as  he  ap- 
peared upon  the  scaffold.  It  is  difficult  to  say  what  his  religious 
feelings  might  have  been,  as  probably  his  mind  was  never  directed 
to  religion  till  after  he  was  condemned.  His  denial  of  the  crime 
makes  good  his  claim  to  the  character  of  a  liar.  His  Love  of  Ap- 
probation (20)  would  induce  him  to  make  it  appear  that  he  was 
innocent,  and  his  Conscientiousness  (only  13)  would  be  no  match 
for  this  strong  feeling.  The  affection  of  the  woman  for  him  was 
very  natural.  He  was  a  good-looking  fellow,  and  was  doubtless  so 
much  attached  to  her  by  his  large  Adhesiveness  as  to  display  affec- 
tion when  in  good  humour  ;  and  when  strong  marks  of  affection 
are  bestowed  on  a  woman,  she  is  certain,  in  most  cases,  to  return 
it.  The  organ  on  which*  the  Instinct  of  Food  is  conceived  to  de- 
pend, is  as  large  as  18,  which  perhaps  may  explain  his  conduct 
with  respect  to  the  jail  provisions,  already  alluded  to,  as  well  as  his 


212  APPENDIX. 

fondness  for  liquor.  His  good  Time  and  Tune  would  orobably 
give  him  a  fondness  for  dancing,  for  which  his  figure  was  weil 
adapted  :  but  whether  he  really  was  given  to  this  amusement,  I 
have  not  been  able  to  learn ;  that  he  was  so,  however,  I  have  very 
little  doubt.  His  great  Amativeness  (19)  was  sufficiently  apparent, 
in  the  circumstances  of  his  sensual  career. 

Altogether,  the  head  of  this  man  is  such,  that  no  good  phrenolo- 
gist, would  hesitate  one  moment  to  say  that  the  lower  propensities 
must  have  been  very  predominant,  prevailing  lamentably  over  the 
Intellect  and  Moral  Sentiments.  His  mode  of  life  was  extremely 
unfavourable  to  the  exercise  of  the  two  latter,  and  must  have  tended 
to  give  to  the  first  an  enormous  preponderance.  Ignorance  and 
dissipation  acting  together  on  such  a  mind,  could  hardly  lead  to 
any  other  result  than  the  gallows.  The  analysis,  to  which  I  have 
ventured  to  add  these  observations,  will  speak  for  itself.  It  is 
perhaps  one  of  the  most  skilful  displays  of  phrenological  acumen 
of  which  we  have  any  record,  and  speaks  volumes  for  the  science. 
Wherever  the  man's  character  was  known,  the  inference  accords 
most  minutely  with  it ;  and  there  is  every  reason  to  suppose,  that, 
were  those  points  cleared  up,  of  which  we  are  still  ignorant,  the 
correspondence  between  them  and  the  deduction  would  be  not 
less  striking.  The  concluding  paragraph  of  the  analysis  is  most 
important,  and  well  worthy  the  attention  of  legislators. 


No.  III. 

ANOTHER  CASE  IN  WHICH  THE  NATURAL  DISPOSITIONS  AND 
TALENTS  WERE  INFERRED  FROM  A  CAST  OF  A  HEAD. 

About  four  years  ago,  a  cast  of  a  head  was  sent  to  Mr.  Combe,  by 
a  gentleman  residing  at  a  considerable  distance  from  Edinburgh, 
with  a  letter  expressing  "  a  strong  curiosity  to  know  what  idea  you 
will  form  of  the  party,  without  any  previous  hint  of  his  character, 
and  merely  by  examining  his  head.  I  may  mention  simply,"  con- 
tinues the  writer  of  the  letter,  "  that  the  head  is  that  of  an  unedu- 
cated person.  If  you  will  be  so  good  as  write  me  what  you  think, 
I  shall  return  you  an  answer  at  length,  stating  as  fully  as  I  can, 
what  I  conceive  to  be  the  real  character,  intellectual  and  moral,  of 
the  individual.  Of  this  man  I  can  speak  minutely.  He  is  a  very 
marked  character  ;  and,  so  far  as  I  know  Phrenology,  his  head  is  a 
complete  index  of  himself."  No  other  particulars  were  furnished. 
Mr.  Combe's  engagements  preventing  him  from  undertaking  this 
task,  he  put  the  cast  into  the  hands  of  James  Simpson,  Esq.,  who 
examined  it  carefully,  and  drew  out  the  following  document:— 


APPENDIX. 


218 


Cast  of  the  head  of  an  uneducated  man,  seemingly  under  middle 
life — general  size  of  head  very  large — temperament  not  discoverable 
from  the  cast. 


MEASUREMENT. 

From  spinal  process  of  occipital  bone  to  Individuality, 
Concentrativeness  to  Comparison,     . 
Hole  of  ear  to  occipital  spine, 
Do.        to  Individuality, 
Do.        to  Firmness, 
Destructiveness  to  Destructiveness, 
Secretiveness  to  Secretiveness,     . 
Cautiousness  to  Cautiousness, 
Ideality  to  Ideality,     .... 
Constructiveness  to  Constructiveness, 
Philoprogenitiveness  to  Individuality,    . 
Anterior  lobe  of  the  brain,  rather  large. 
Portion  of  brain  above  Cautiousness,  moderate, 
Do.  above  Causality,  moderate. 


6 
6 


DEVELOPMENT. 

Amativeness,  large, 
Philoprogenitiveness,  very  large, 
Concentrativeness,  large, 
Adhesiveness,  large,     . 
Combativeness,  large, 
Destructiveness,  large, 
Secretiveness,  large, 
Acquisitiveness,  large, 
Constructiveness,  full, 
Self- Esteem,  very  large, 
Love  of  Approbation,  rather  large 
Cautiousness,  rather  large, 
Benevolence,  moderate,   . 
Veneration,  full, 
Firmness,  large, 
Conscientiousness,  moderate, 
Hope,  full, 
Wonder,  full, 
Ideality,  rather  full, 
Wit,  rather  full, 
Imitation,  full, 
Individuality,  large,     . 


19 
20 
19 
18 
18 
18 
19 
19 
14 
20 
16 
16 
10 
14 
19 
10 
14 
14 
12 
12 
15 
18 


214 


APPENDIX. 


Form,  rather  large, 
Size,  full, 
Weight,  moderate, 
Colouring,  small, 
Locality,  rather  large, 
Number,  rather  small, 
Order,  rather  small, 
Eventuality,  rather  large, 
Time,  rather  large, 
Tune,  rather  full, 
Language,  moderate, 
Comparison,  full, 
Causality,  full, 


INFERENCES, 


16 
14 

11 

7 
17 
8 
6 
17 
16 
13 
10 
14 
14 


Mr. says  he  knows  this  individual  well.     I  fear  that,  if  he 

has  had  much  to  do  with  him,  he  knows  him  too  well.  His  enor- 
mous head  must  give  him  great  power  of  character,  and  I  wish  I 
could  say  that  that  power  is  all  in  the  direction  of  good.  Without 
education,  and,  of  course,  in  inferior  society,  I  could  not  answer 
for  this  individual  not  running  headlong  into  the  coarsest  vicious 
indulgences.  The  animal  endowment  is  excessive ;  and  although 
the  intellectual  is  very  considerable,  the  moral  is  sadly  deficient. 
The  Amativeness  is  very  great,  and  it  is  scarcely  to  be  expected 
that  it  has  been  restrained  from  coarse  and  selfish  indulgence. 
The  individual  may  have  married,  and  may  have  continued  in  the 
state  as  well  as  entered  into  it,  and  loved  wife  and  children,  (the 
latter  passionately;)  but  he  would  usually  be  a  harsh  and  tyranni- 
cal head  of  a  family.  He  is  loud,  domineering,  and  assuming,  and 
probably  abusive  and  imprecatory.  He  is  deficient  in  kindness 
and  mildness.  His  haughty  and  assuming  character  will  likewise 
mark  him  out  of  doors ;  and  his  pride,  obstinacy,  opinionativeness, 
touchiness,  resentfulness,  and  violence,  must  have  involved  him  in 
many  a  quarrel  and  brawl.  He  must  be  tremendous  when  drunk. 
He  has  a  prodigious  conceit  of  himself;  and  although  he  is  not 
indifferent  to  the  praise  of  others,  (which,  however,  he  seldom 
gets,)  he  snaps  his  fingers  at  their  opinion  when  against  him. 
His  character  is  intensely  selfish.  There  is  much  savoir  faire, 
amounting  even  to  cunning  and  hypocrisy.  He  is  proud  of  being 
thought  deep,  studies  the  weak  side  of  those  with  whom  he  deals, 
drives  a  hard  and  knowing  bargain,  gives  truth  to  the  winds,  and 
glories  in  taking  his  merchant  at  disadvantage.  He  loves  money, 
and  grasps  it  so  hard  that  it  is  difficult  to  get  it  out  of  his  clutches 
for  his  just  debts.  His  perceptions  of  justice  are  so  feeble,  that 
he  will  consider  justice,  if  directed  against  himself,  as  injustice, 


APPENDIX.  21.5 

and  even  injury.  His  money  will  all  go  for  his  own  animal  indul- 
gences, even  to  the  neglect  of  his  family,  when  he  is  pinched. 
Charity  or  benevolence  never  drew  sixpence  from  him.  If  he 
can  both  enjoy  sensuality  and  hoard  money,  he  will  do  both.  He 
possesses  very  considerable  intellectual  powers,  which  will  be 
directed  steadily  in  the  service  of  his  propensities  and  selfishness. 
If  he  has  failed  to  make  money  in  a  coarse  and  plentiful  way,  it 
must  proceed/rom  his  deficient  Conscientiousness  affecting  his  credit. 
His  intellectual  manifestations  are  coarse  and  inelegant,  but  they 
have  considerable  vigour.  He  is  shrewd,  observing,  remembering, 
and  sagacious,  with  a  great  power  of  concentrative  application  of 
mind  to  his  purpose.  He  might  suceeed  as  a  draughtsman  or  sur- 
veyor, but  does  not  seem  to  have  any  mechanical  genius  about  him. 
He  is  probably  an  indifferent  workman  with  his  hands,  except  in 
fighting.  His  head  is  his  implement.  I  should  expect  to  find  him 
unpunctual,  disorderly,  slovenly,  and  dirty.  He  would  have  figured 
as  a  warrior  or  marauder  in  barbarous  times ;  force  is  his  engine, 
and  he  possesses  great  power  of  character  to  wield  it.  He  is  not 
insensible  to  religious  impressions,  if  they  were  ever  pressed  home 
upon  him ;  but  his  religion  will  be  abject  and  selfish,  and  any 
thing  but  the  practical  morality  of  Christianity. 
This  individual  could  not  match  shades  of  colour. 

P.  S — On  reflecting  on  the  foregoing  character,  it  has  occurred, 
that  although  all  that  has  been  said  is  in  the  man's  nature,  his 
Secretiveness  and  Intellect  directing  his  own  interest,  may  have  pre- 
vented so  broad  a  manifestation  of  it  as  to  be  generally  recognised ; 
or  by  any  but  those  who  have  seen  him  long,  closely,  and  intimately. 

J.  S. 


An  account  of  the  individual  was  subsequently  drawn  up  by  the 
gentleman  who  had  sent  the  cast.     It  is  as  follows  : — 

Character  of  the  uneducated  man,  deduced  from  a  long  and  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  individual. 

I  have  had  many  opportunities  of  knowing  well  the  character  of 
this  individual,  which  I  have  made  a  point  of  studying  minutely, 
both  as  a  matter  of  curiosity  and  as  an  interesting  subject  of  philo- 
sophical speculation.  He  is  a  native  of  Wales,  and  thirty-two 
years  of  age ;  he  stands  six  feet  high,  and  is  very  strongly  made. 
I  am  not  well  versed  in  the  doctrine  of  the  temperaments ;  but  if 
there  be  such  a  temperament  as  the  sanguineo-melancholic,  I  should 


216  APPENDIX. 


say  it  is  his.  Though  perfectly  illiterate,  and  ignorant  upon  almost 
every  subject,  there  is  something  about  the  man  which  makes  it 
impossible  for  any  body  to  despise  him.  Taken  individually,  all 
his  qualifications  are  despicable,  yet,  considered  in  the  aggregate, 
they  are  of  that  character  which  renders  it  difficult  to  view  him 
contemptuously.  His  temper  is  decidedly  bad :  it  is  not  merely 
quick,  but  obdurate  and  sour ;  and  if  he  once  conceives  a  dislike 
to  any  one,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  remove  it.  He  is  extremely 
jealous,  pettish,  and  suspicious,  and  cannot  tolerate  quizzery  of  any 
description.  At  the  same  time,  although  on  some  points  it  is  not 
difficult  to  play  upon  him,  yet  he  has  such  an  immense  opinion  of 
his  owm  penetration,  that  he  conceives  no  man  could  attempt  such 
a  step  without  being  instantly  detected.  Any  opinion  which  he 
may  form  h*.  views  as  infallible,  and  all  the  evidence  in  existence 
will  not  make  him  abandon  it.  I  have  no  doubt  whatever,  from 
what  I  have  seen  and  known,  that  he  is  tyrannical  and  domineering. 
He  is  also  very  quarrelsome — so  much  so,  that  it  is  disagreeable  to 
walk  on  the  streets  with  him,  lest  he  get  involved  in  a  scrape. 
He  has  no  idea  of  accommodating  himself  to  others,  but  goes 
doggedly  along,  pushing  aside  those  who  are  not  exactly  disposed 
to  get  out  of  his  way.  He  is  a  capital  pugilist.  The  science  of 
boxing  he  has  studied  indefatigabiy — not,  as  it  occurs  to  me,  as 
an  exercise,  but  to  render  himself  formidable.  The  consequence 
is,  that  he  has  got  into  fifty  rows ;  and  if,  at  any  time,  you  meet 
him,  the  chances  are  that  his  eyes  are  either  in  mourning  from 
blows  received,  or  his  knuckles  injured  from  the  punishment  given 
to  his  antagonist.  His  habits  are  altogether  of  a  low  order.  He 
has  no  fondness  for,  but  rather  an  aversion  to,  elegant  and  virtuous 
female  society ;  and  his  associates  are  mostly  prize-fighters,  and 
sporting  characters  generally.  With  regard  to  his  amative  pro- 
pensity, every  body  acquainted  with  him  knows  that  it  is  very- 
great  ;  he  is,  in  fact,  the  slave  of  that  feeling,  and  never  speaks  of 
a  woman  except  in  an  animal  point  of  view.  I  think  I  may  safely 
say,  that  I  never  knew  a  person  so  perfectly  indifferent  to  poetry, 
painting,  fine  scenery,  and  every  thing  beautiful  in  the  material 
world.  It  is  certain  that  the  Cowgate,  or  Wapping,  would  excite 
about  as  much  of  the  sublime  in  his  mind  as  Glencoe  or  the  Vale 
of  Chamouni.  If  people  in  his  company  begin  to  speak  of  such 
subjects,  and  show  any  rapture,  he  gets  gloomy  and  irritated,  pro- 
nounces the  conversation  "  d« d  stuff,"  and,  unless  it  be  aban- 
doned, he  leaves  the  room.  On  the  contrary,  get  upon  fighting, 
and,  like  the  war-horse,  his  eye  instantly  lightens  up — he  becomes 
the  cock  of  the  company,  and  describes,  with  intense  delight,  the 
many  brawls  he  has  been  in, — shows  how  he  pounded  this  man  and 
that  man,  and  exemplifies,  in  the  most  graphic  manner  imaginable, 
all  the  different  details  of  a  fight.     Indeed,  his  stories  on  such 


APPENDIX.  217 


subjects  are  master-pieces  in  their  way.  They  abound  in  details,—* 
are  astonishingly  circumstantial;  and  if  he  tells  the  story  fifty 
times,  it  never  varies.  I  have  no  doubt  whatever  that  many  of  his 
alleged  exploits  are  mere  lies  ;  but  they  are  certainly  the  best  put- 
together  ones  I  ever  listened  to,  and  look  prodigiously  like  truth. 
In  fact,  their  excessive  circumstantiality  and  detail,  and  the  un- 
varying way  in  'which  he  tells  them,  long  imposed  upon  me,  and 
convinced  me  that,  in  spite  of  their  improbability,  they  must  be 
true,  till  I  ascertained  from  unquestionable  evidence,  that  some  of 
them,  at  least,  were  merely  ingenious  fabrications,  got  up  for  the 
purpose  of  aggrandizing  himself. 

He  is  very  fond  of  praise,  especially  of  his  person,  which  he 
considers  faultless.  This,  indeed,  is  the  only  vulnerable  point 
about  him,  and  if  the  thing  is  done  judiciously,  he  will  swallow  a 
most  enormous  dose ;  but  if  he  once  supposes  they  are  quizzing 
him,  it  will  require  no  small  restraint  to  prevent  him  from  inflict- 
ing summary  punishment  on  the  quizzer.  His  great  ambition  is 
to  be  a  first-rate  boxer,  or  possess  great  strength ;  and  so  strong  is 
the  feeling,  that  if  the  choice  were  given  him  of  being  able  to 
write  Paradise  Lost,  or  beat  Jem  Ward,  there  is  no  doubt  he  would 
fix  upon  the  latter.  Literature  and  literary  men  he  views  with 
great  contempt.  He  says,  that  if  he  had  received  a  proper  educa- 
tion, and  possessed  the  same  advantages  as  other  people,  he  could 
have  written  as  good  works  as  any  man  that  ever  lived.  With  all 
this  he  has  no  love  whatever  for  reading.  Indeed,  he  confesses, — 
I  sincerely  believe,  for  the  purpose  of  making  his  natural  genius 
appear  more  extraordinary — that  he  never  read  a  volume  through 
all  his  life,  a  fact  which  I  perfectly  credit.  The  only  reading  he 
ever  indulges  in,  is  the  account  of  the  prize-fights  in  Bell's  Life  in 
London. 

One  strong  feature  in  his  character  is  a  total  want  of  punctuality. 
When  he  makes  an  appointment,  it  is  the  merest  chance  in  the 
world  if  he  keeps  it.  Indeed,  he  does  not  seem  to  think  there  is 
the  slightest  impropriety  in  violating  such  engagements.  He  is 
also  slovenly  in  his  dress,  and  altogether  what  you  would  call  a 
careless,  reckless  sort  of  being. 

So  far  as  I  know  the  mao,  I  should  say  that  his  character  is 
greatly  deficient  in  philanthropy.  He  is  disposed  to  take  harsh 
views  of  things,  and  judge  people's  actions  uncharitably.  When 
offended  at  any  one,  he  is  also  prone  to  curse  at  him  and  abuse  him 
without  mercy.  Indeed,  the  whole  texture  of  his  mind  is  singu- 
larly inelegant ;  and  I  do  not  believe,  that,  under  any  system  of 
education,  it  would  be  possible  to  have  made  him,  in  manners  or 
conversation,  a  suitable  companion  for  well-bred  people. 

With  regard  to  his  conscientiousness,  I  really  am  at  a  loss  what 
to  say.     For  the  first  six  years  of  my  acquaintance  with  him,  I 
»  K 


"218  APPENDIX. 


considered  him  the  most  simple-minded  and  honest  of  human 
beings,  and,  for  any  thing  I  can  prove  to  the  contrary,  I  might 
consider  him  so  still ;  but  I  must  say  candidly,  that  some  reports 
got  into  circulation  against  him  in  1829,  any  thing  but  creditable  to 
his  honesty.  He  was  accused  (with  what  truth  I  know  not)  of 
having  appropriated  sums  of  money  which  did  not  belong  to  him  ; 
and  a  stigma  was  attached  to  his  character  on  this  account,  which  I 
sincerely  hope,  and  almost  believe,  is  false,  but  which  many  per- 
sons affirm  to  be  too  true.  This  is  all  I  can  say.  Be  the  matter 
as  it  may,  it  has  done  him  great  injury,  and  prevented  him  ever 
since  from  getting  respectable  employment. 

I  have  spoken  of  his  want  of  punctuality.  This  irregular  pro- 
pensity  is  manifested  in  the  preference  he  gives  to  dining  in  chop- 
houses  to  doing  so  in  his  own  house,  and  in  his  fondness  for  late 
hours.  Indeed,  he  is  exceedingly  unsystematic,  though  both 
shrewd,  observant,  and  sagacious.  He  seems,  in  an  argument,  to 
be  quite  incapable  of  proceeding  upon  general  principles  ;  and  al- 
though he  will  never  strike  his  own  colours,  he  invariably  mysti- 
fies and  tires  out  his  opponents. 

He  is  ambitious  of  being  thought  formidable  in  drinking  and 
eating.  I  have  heard  him  boast  before  ladies  of  the  quantity  of 
porter  he  could  drink,  and  beef-steaks  he  could  consume.  He 
is  exceedingly  pleased  when  any  one  compliments  him  upon  his 
amative  powTers;  and,  in  short,  swallows  with  avidity  whatever 
tends  to  exalt  him  in  the  scale  of  manhood.  The  only  intellectual 
quality  which  he  is  vain  of  having  imputed  to  him  is  his  great 
penetration  and  his  talents  for  argument.  He  alleges,  that  were 
he  better  educated,  he  would  be  quite  invincible  at  the  latter 
accomplishment. 

I  think  he  has  some  mimicry  about  him,  but  it  is  all  of  the 
low  kind.  I  have  seen  him  take  off  some  of  his  acquaintances 
pretty  adroitly.  He  has  also  a  fondness  for  vulgar  jokes.  For 
instance,  I  have  seen  him  get  hold  of  some  half-cracked  crea- 
ture, and  try  how  many  pies  he  could  eat — he  himself  laughing 
heartily,  and  enjoying  the  exhibition  with  great  delight.  I  re- 
collect of  him  getting  a  couple  of  fellows  to  try  which  of  them 
would  eat  most  rapidly  a  quantity  of  hot  porridge,  the  winner 
to  get  five  shillings  for  his  performance.  On  another  occasion  he 
promised  a  carter  two  shillings  if  he  would  drink  off  half  a  gallon 
of  small  beer. 

With  regard  to  his  love  of  money,  I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  say. 
Any  time  that  I  have  seen  him  spend  money,  it  always  occur- 
red to  me  as  if  it  were  done  more  out  of  a  pure  spirit  of  osten- 
tation than  from  liberality.  Others  have  frequently  made  the 
same  remark.  I  cannot  bring  myself  to  say  that  any  particular 
fondness  for  the  acquisition  of  wealth  on  his  part  ever  occurred 


APPENDIX.  219 

to  me  :  but  on  this  point  I  am  not  competent  to  speak.  Of 
one  thing,  however,  I  am  certain,  that  most  of  the  money  he  lays 
out  is  expended  in  the  bagnio,  the  chop-house,  or  among  the 
pugilists.  He  spends  little  in  clothing,  and  I  believe  never  pur- 
chased a  book  in  his  life  time. 

I  cannot  speak  of  his  religious  feelings.  I  never  saw  any  ex- 
hibited; but  he  has  been  most  unfavourably  situated  for  their 
manifestation.  If  he  once  took  it  into  his  head  to  be  religious,  he 
would  be  such  a  saint  as  Louis  XI.  or  Catherine  de'  Medici. 

In  short,  he  is  a  man  who  may  be  persuaded  into  a  thing  by 
flattery,  but  it  is  impossible  to  make  him  move  a  step  by  any 
other  consideration.  His  obstinacy  is  very  great,  and  proof  against 
almost  any  thing.  If  he  were  in  a  station  where  he  had  plenty 
of  scope  and  little  restraint,  I  think  he  would  be  extremely 
tyrannical  and  fond  of  inflicting  punishment.  I  have  often  heard 
him  express  great  rage  against  Colonel  Brereton  for  not  sabring 
the  people  at  Bristol,  and  swear  that  if  he  had  had  the  command 
on  that  occasion,  he  would  have  slaughtered  them  by  hundreds. 
This  I  believe  firmly  he  would  not  scruple  to  do  in  such  cir- 
cumstances. If  he  took  a  fancy  for  a  person,  and  that  person 
did  exactly  as  he  wished,  I  think  he  would  sacrifice  life  and 
limb  to  serve  him  ;  but  the  slightest  symptom  of  the  individual 
acting  independently  and  thinking  for  himself  would  make  him 
cast  him  off.  With  regard  to  his  love  of  children,  I  should 
think  it  considerable.  At  least  children — with  the  exception  of 
his  three  brothers  to  whom  he  is  much  attached — are  the  only 
people  towards  whom  I  ever  observed  him  to  take  a  fancy.  His 
letters  are  stiff,  and  indicate  a  deficient  command  of  language  ; 
though  in  his  capacity  of  a  clerk  he  has  had  plenty  of  experience 
in  letter  writing.  His  arithmetical  powers  are  not  great.  I 
should  think  them  below  par.  That  he  would  be  intensely  liti- 
gious it  is  impossible  to  doubt.  The  expression  of  his  face  is 
sinister  and  gloomy,  and  indicates  dogged  determination  and 
great  want  of  mental  flexibility. 


REMARKS  BY  MR.  SIMPSON  ON  THE  PRECEDING  ACCOUNT. 

This  character  is  substantially  the  same  as  that  transmitted  to 

.     To  the  postscript  of  the  latter  it  gives  great  value.     In  spite 

of  six  years'  intimate  acquaintance  with,  and  minute  study  of,  this 

singular  person,  Mr did  not  know  an  important  feature  in  his 

character — his  deficient  Conscientiousness,  but  had  it  only  from  re- 
ports. Yet  he  narrates  several  traits  quite  inconsistent  with  Con- 
scientiousness, although  he  himself  does  not  appear  to  observe  how 
they  bear. 


2-0  aitendix. 


No.  IV. 

CHANGE  OF  CHARACTER  AND  TALENTS,  AND  A  SIMULTANEOUS 
CHANGE  IN  THE  FORM  OF  THE  HEAD. 

The  following  observations  are  reprinted  in  the  50th  number  of 
the  Phrenological  Journal,  from  an  American  work,  entitled  "  Prac- 
tical Phrenology,  by  Silas  Jones,"  published  at  Boston,  in  J  836. 

"Great  changes  in  moral  character  and  talents  sometimes  mani- 
fest themselves  in  indivduals,  and  the  question  is  put  to  the  phreno- 
logist, whether  the  head  changes  to  a  corresponding  extent?  This 
question  requires  a  very  candid  and  considerate  answer. 

"  1.  It  is  important  to  remark  upon  the  nature  of  the  change 
which  takes  place  in  character,  before  we  attempt  to  account  for  it 
by  a  change  in  the  size  of  organs. 

"  The  first  change  is  that  which  takes  place  before  the  individual 
arrives  at  maturity.  During  this  forming  period  of  character  great 
changes  often  take  place,  especially  in  those  who  are  about  equally 
inclined  to  good  and  to  evil  practices.  The  different  parts  of  char- 
acter develope  themselves  just  as  circumstances  draw  them  out  at 
the  usual  age  of  their  manifestation.  More  than  twenty-five  of  the 
primitive  faculties  shew  themselves  during  the  first  eighteen  months, 
others  appear  at  subsequent  periods,  and  different  groups  claim  as- 
cendency at  different  times.  As  to  all  the  changes  of  this  period, 
there  can  be  no  question  that  the  shape  of  the  head  will  change  as 
the  character  changes.  However,  at  this  period  the  organs  change 
much  in  relative  activity,  without  an  equally  corresponding  change 
in  size.  Those  organs  which  have  never  been  excited  by  their  ap- 
propriate objects  will  have  been  less  active  than  those  which  have 
had  abundant  exercise  ;  but  commence  the  exercise  of  the  organs 
by  the  stimulus  of  their  own  objects,  and  you  draw  them  at  once 
into  activity,  and,  as  they  become  active,  the  structure  improves  as 
well  as  increases  in  size.  We  must  not  suppose  that  there  is  no 
other  difference  in  cerebral  organs  but  that  of  size.  The  differ- 
ences in  perfection  of  structure  and  tendency  to  activity,  arising  from 
habits  of  exercise,  are  quite  as  great  as  those  of  activity.  Hence, 
judgments  formed  of  the  strength  of  particular  faculties,  without 
inquiry  as  to  the  education  they  have  received,  are  liable  to  error. 

"  2.  Alterations  which  take  place  in  the  character  of  individuals 
sfter  they  arrive  at  maturity,  are  seldom  any  more  than  a  change 
in  the  objects  on  which  the  faculties  act.  When  this  is  the  case, 
no  change  in  the  form  of  the  head  is  to  be  expected.  The  faculty 
which  respects  talents,  office,  rank,  and  wealth,  adores  the  Deity ; 
and  he  that  has  turned  from  the  worship  of  idols  to  the  worship  of 
the  only  true  God,  has  brought  into  action  no  new  organ ;  and, 


APPENDIX.  221 

unless  he  worship  with  more  fervour,  his  reverence  will  not  be  in- 
creased in  activity. 

"  3.  Changes  in  the  form  of  head  are  only  to  be  expected  where 
there  has  been  a  great  change  in  the  degree  of  activity  of  organs. 
If  organs  which  have  been  very  active  cease  to  be  so,  while  others 
which  have  been  idle  are  drawn  into  great  activity,  then,  in  a  few 
years,  we  may,  in  many  instances,  be  able  to  notice  a  change.  This 
embraces  the  several  classes  of  cases. 

"  1.  Where  an  individual  is  not  advanced  beyond  the  meridian 
of  life,  and  has  become  very  thoughtful  and  studious  for  a  few 
years,  giving  great  exercise  to  the  reflective  organs,  they  will  per- 
ceptibly increase  in  size.  There  are  several  facts  which  go  to  prove 
this.  So,  where  individuals  have  been  suddenly  changed  from 
situations  which  did  not  give  much  exercise  and  excitement  to  the 
perceptive  organs,  to  those  which  required  great  exercise  and  ac- 
tivity of  them,  we  may  expect  a  sudden  growth  of  those  organs. 
.  "  But  these  cases  are  so  rare,  and  the  changes  are  so  gradual, 
that  much  pains  should  be  taken  to  collect  the  facts  with  accuracy. 
Mr.  Deville  has  been  engaged  in  taking  casts  of  individuals  at  dif- 
ferent periods  and  ages,  for  the  purpose  of  making  comparisons. 

"  I  have  several  facts,  founded  not  upon  observations  made  from 
comparison  of  casts,  but  still  they  are  such  as  to  be  entitled  to  our 
confidence.  A  young  artist  of  my  acquaintance  had  formerly  been 
a  dealer  in  dry  goods,  and,  a  few  years  since,  commenced  the  busi- 
ness of  portrait-painting.  He  had  been  absent  for  several  years 
from  his  mother  :  when  on  a  visit  to  her,  she  called  him  up  to  her, 
and,  observing  every  part  of  his  countenance  carefully,  said,  '  Your 
forehead  has  altered  in  form  since  I  saw  you,  all  the  lower  part  of 
it  seems  to  be  pushed  out.'  This  was  the  careful  observation  of  a 
fond  mother,  when  tracing  out  the  lineaments  of  a  beloved  son.  It 
was  no  doubt  true.  Nearly  all  the  perceptive  organs  are  now  very 
decidedly  large  ;  and  he  says  they  have  increased  in  size  since  he 
commenced  his  new  vocation.  Young  men  in  cities,  it  will  be 
found,  have  greater  power  and  activity  in  the  perceptive  organs 
than  those  who  have  always  been  in  country  situations.  There  is 
a  constantly  changing  succession  of  objects  in  cities,  which  give 
ample  scope  and  stimulus  to  these  organs.  These  rapid  changes 
are  unfavourable  to  quiet  reflection,  hence  the  knowing  organs 
acquire  a  great  ascendency. 

"  I  have  noticed,  in  very  many  instances,  that  experienced  navi- 
gators have  the  organs  of  Locality  very  prominent,  and  probably  in 
consequence  of  great  exercise  of  them.  So,  with  blind  people, 
these  organs  become  very  large.  It  is  the  case  of  a  blind  man  in 
Boston,  who  travels  in  every  part  of  that  city  without  a  guide. 

"  3.  A  third  class  of  cases  is  that  in  which  a  change  takes  place 
in  the  feelings,  as  where  one  or  two  feelings  become  exceedingly, 


222  APPENDIX. 


and  almost  morbidly,  active  for  many  years,  as  in  the  case  of  De- 
structiveness  and  Secretiveness  in  G.  M.  Gottfried.  Also,  in  con- 
sequence of  some  great  shock  to  some  feeling,  as  to  Adhesiveness, 
Self-Esteem,  Hope,  or  Love  of  Approbation,  there  may  be  a  change 
in  the  form  of  the  head  in  the  regions  of  those  organs. 

"  I  have,  in  hundreds  of  instances,  seen  very  striking  depressions 
in  the  heads  of  persons  of  mature  years,  but  seldom  in  the  heads  of 
children.  These  depressions  are  most  frequent  at  the  localities  of 
those  organs  which  are  most  liable  to  great  neglect  or  suffering. 

"  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  changes  in  the  form  of  the  skull 
externally,  will  be  co-extensive  with  every  slight  change  in  the 
habits  of  thought  and  feeling.  The  organs  may  change  greatly  in 
activity  without  such  a  change  in  volume  externally  as  to  be  notice- 
able. The  organs  most  used  may  be  contiguous  to  others  most 
neglected.  In  such  a  case  the  one  would  be  diminished  as  the 
other  increased.  Neither  protuberances  nor  depressions  are  to  be 
looked  for  in  ordinary  cases.  The  practised  phrenologist  does  not 
need  them  to  enable  him  either  to  find  the  location  of  the  organs, 
or  the  innate  dispositions  and  talents.  They  are  rather  to  be  re- 
garded as  rare  occurrences  and  curiosities,  which  have  enabled 
Gall,  Spurzheim,  and  others,  to  conjecture  the  location  of  organs, 
which  have  since  been  proved  by  thousands  of  well-observed  facts, 
not  less  conclusive,  although  less  peculiar." 

This  subject  is  more  fully  discussed  by  Dr.  Andrew  Combe,  in 
the  Phrenological  Journal,  No.  51,  in  which  is  published  a  remark- 
able case  of  contemporaneous  change  of  dispositions  and  cerebral 
development,  by  Mr.  Kirtley,  surgeon  at  Barnard  Castle. 

Mr.  Deville  took  a  cast  of  the  head  of  a  gentleman,  thirty-two 
years  old,  and  a  second  cast  when  he  was  at  the  age  of  thirty-six. 
For  three  or  four  years  previously  to  taking  the  first  cast,  this  gen- 
tleman was  very  fond  of  hoarding  money,  and  his  desire  of  accumu- 
lating had  rendered  him  so  penurious  and  unhappy,  that,  though 
his  property  was  considerable,  his  friends  were  afraid  of  his  becom- 
ing insane  from  the  sheer  dread  of  being  reduced  to  beggary.  They 
endeavoured  to  reason  him  out  of  this  feeling,  and  sent  him  abroad 
with  a  gentleman,  by  whose  attention  and  kindness  he  completely 
overcame  the  propensity,  and  made  some  progress  in  the  study  of 
the  classics  and  of  music.  Mr.  Deville  states,  that,  upon  measuring 
and  comparing  the  two  casts,  he  found  the  head  to  have  consider- 
ably increased  in  size  at  the  situation  of  the  organs  of  Benevolence, 
Ideality,  and  the  Reflecting  Faculties.  "  I  have,"  he  adds,  "  two 
well  authenticated  casts  of  a  great  artist,  whose  life  is  well  known. 
The  first  is  a  mask  taken  in  1792,  when  he  was  about  forty-five 
years  of  age ;  the  other  a  cast  of  his  head  taken  after  death,  in  1816. 
Now,  it  is  well  known  that  he  became  a  hoarder  and  groveller  after 
money  during  the  last  fifteen  or  twenty  years  of  his  life ;  nay,  he 


APPPENDIX.  223 

became  miserable  from  fear  of  coming  to  want,  though  he  possessed 
extensive  property,  besides  his  pictures,  which  were  of  great  value. 
Now,  upon  applying  the  callipers  at  Acquisitiveness,  the  second 
cast  is  found  to  be  nearly  four-eighths  of  an  inch  broader  than  that 
taken  in  1792,  while,  at  the  same  time,  its  height  has  diminished; 
it  has  become  flatter  at  Benevolence,  and  wider  at  Acquisitiveness. 
Tc  some  this  may  appear  extraordinary,  and,  had  I  known  only  a 
single  instance,  I  should  have  been  silent ;  but  as  I  have  now  be- 
tween fifty  and  sixty  cases  of  alteration  of  the  form  of  the  skull,  ac- 
companied by  change  of  character,  the  subject  assumes  an  impor- 
tant character,  and  calls  to  the  extensive  investigation." 

No.  V. 

At  page  186,  I  have  quoted  an  extract  from  a  paper  by  Mr. 
Robert  Cox,  in  the  9th  volume  of  the  Phrenological  Journal.  It 
is  entitled  "  Observations  on  the  Mutual  Influence  of  the  Mental 
Faculties,"  and  contains  some  very  luminous  and  novel  views  on 
this  subject.  From  this  interesting  article  I  copy  the  following  re- 
marks :  — 

"  Of  all  the  causes  which  excite  Destructiveness,  the  disagreeable 
activity  of  Self- Esteem  is  the  most  frequent  and  powerful ;  and, 
indeed,  there  are  few  occasions  on  which  it  does  not  partake  in  the 
suffering  produced  by  offence  of  the  other  faculties.  For,  as  Lord 
Bacon  remarks,  'contempt  is  that  which  putteth  an  edge  upon 
anger,  as  much  or  more  than  the  hurt  itself;  and,  therefore,  when 
men  are  ingenious  in  picking  out  circumstances  of  contempt,  they 
do  kindle  their  anger  much.5  Self- Esteem,  when  ill-regulated, 
makes  individuals  prefer  themselves  to  every  other  person,  and  gives 
them  a  tendency  to  engross  as  much  as  possible  the  sources  of  hap- 
piness for  their  own  peculiar  advantage.  Such  men  are  therefore 
offended  when  they  see  other  people  either  enjoying  gratifications 
in  which  they  have  not  the  good  fortune  to  partake — the  mode  of 
activity  of  Self- Esteem  being  in  this  case  denominated  envy,  or 
grasping  at  what  they  themselves  are  desirous  to  obtain,  whereby 
the  emotion  of  jealousy  is  produced.  The  occasions  which  give 
birth  to  envy  and  jealousy,  vary  according  to  the  faculties  which 
happen  to  be,  along  with  Self- Esteem,  energetic.  Thus,  an  un- 
married lady,  possessing  large  organs  of  the  domestic  affections, 
combined  with  a  great  development  of  Self-esteem,  will  be  ex- 
ceedingly apt  to  envy  such  of  her  acquaintances  as  are  happily  mar- 
ried, and  surrounded  by  a  promising  and  healthy  family ;  while  she 
will  harbour  jealousy  towards  any  one  who  endeavours  to  secure 
the  affections  of  the  man  whose  love  she  desires  for  herself.  A  self- 
esteeming  and  acquisitive  individual  competing  for  a  lucrative  office 


224  APPENDIX. 

is  jealous  of  his  rival ;  and,  after  failing  in  the  pursuit,  regards  him 
with  envy.  This  pain  of  Self. Esteem  renders  him  maliciously  dis- 
posed towards  the  fortunate  candidate ;  he  bears  a  grudge  against 
him,  rejoices  in  his  misfortunes,  and  lets  slip  no  opportunity  of 
blasting  his  reputation.  In  the  case  here  supposed,  there  is  added 
to  envy  the  emotion  of  hatred,  which  is  a  compound  of  the  painful 
emotion  of  Self- Esteem,  or  of  some  other  faculty,  with  the  propen- 
sity to  injure  or  destroy. 

"  The  weapons  by  which  Love  of  Approbation  is  vulnerable,  are 
slander,  ridicule,  and  the  expression  of  displeasure ;  and  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  say  that  these  have  a  strong  tendency  to  excite  a  desire 
to  injure  the  person  from  whom  they  proceed.  Disappointment  of 
this  feeling  has  a  similar  effect.  A  man  who  is  quashed  where  he 
intends  to  make  a  splendid  figure,  seldom  fails  to  bear  a  grudge 
against  the  person  by  whom  he  is  annihilated.  When  both  Self- 
Esteem  and  Love  of  Approbation  are  powerful — as  they  were  in 
Bonaparte,  for  example — there  is  a  desire  not  merely  to  be  ap- 
plauded and  admired,  but  to  be  the  grand  and  prominent  object  of 
applause  and  admiration — to  walk,  in  short,  '  the  sole  hero  upon  the 
stage.'  Such  a  man  is,  therefore,  jealous  of  all  whom  he  suspects 
of  aiming  at  a  share  of  the  eclat,  and  envies  and  hates  them  when 
they  get  more  than  he.  Robert  Burns  used  to  be  grievously 
offended  and  irritated  when  not  made  the  lion  of  the  company  in 
which  he  was  present.  The  noted  case  of  David  and  Saul  furnishes 
another  good  illustration.  When  the  virgins,  in  celebrating  their 
exploits,  proclaimed  that  *  Saul  had  slain  his  thousands,  and  David 
his  ten  thousands,'  the  king,  we  are  told,  '  was  very  wroth,  and  the 
saying  displeased  him  ;  and  Saul  eyed  David  from  that  day  and 
forward.'  An  army  which  has  been  mortified  and  disgraced  by 
defeat  at  the  hands  of  an  enemy  before  regarded  with  contempt,  is 
apt  to  be  extremely  ferocious  when  at  length  a  victory  is  gained. 
The  conduct  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  troops  in  the  Highlands 
of  Scotland,  after  the  battle  of  Culloden,  illustrates  this  remark. 
General  Hawley,  in  particular,  whose  arrogance  seems  to  have  ex- 
ceeded even  his  folly,  is  characterized  by  Mr  Chambers  as  having 
been  *  one  of  the  most  remorseless  of  all  the  commanding  officers ; 
apparently  thinking  no  extent  of  cruelty  a  sufficient  compensation 
for  his  loss  of  honour  at  Falkirk.' 

"  It  is  curious,  and  to  some  may  appear  paradoxical,  that  even 
Benevolence  can  act  as  a  direct  stimulus  to  Destructiveness.  Its 
disagreeable  excitement  occurs  when  we  witness  the  infliction  of 
pain,  and  is  called  pity  or  compassion.  The  benevolent  man  whose 
Destructiveness  is  powerful,  has,  in  such  cases,  a  vivid  inclination 
to  bestow  summary  chastisement  on  the  inflicter.  This  is  well  ex- 
emplified by  the  incident  which  gave  occasion  to  the  maledictory 
poem  of  Burns,  written  on  seeing  a  wounded  hare  pass  by,  and  in 


APPENDIX.  225 

which  are  embodied,  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  compassion  for 
the  hare,  and  curses  on  the  man  who  had  wounded  it.  So  enraged 
was  the  poet,  that  he  threatened  to  throw  the  sportsman  into  a 
neighbouring  river.  In  like  manner,  when  a  crime  of  great  atro- 
city is  perpretated  against  any  individual,  the  anger  is  not  confined 
to  the  sufferer  alone.  *  There  rises,'  says  Dr.  Thomas  Brown,  *in 
the  mind  of  others,  an  emotion,  not  so  vivid  perhaps,  but  of  the 
same  kind,  involving  the- same  instant  dislike  of  the  injurer,  and 
followed  by  the  same  eager  desire  of  punishment  for  the  atrocious 
offence.  In  periods  of  revolutionary  tumult,  when  the  passions  of 
a  mob,  and  even,  in  many  instances,  their  most  virtuous  passions 
are  the  dreadful  instruments  of  which  the  crafty  avail  themselves, 
how  powerfully  is  this  influence  of  indignation  exemplified  in  the 
impetuosity  of  their  vengeance  !  Indignation  is  then  truly  anger. 
The  demagogue  has  only  to  circulate  some  tale  of  oppression  ;  and 
each  rushes  almost  instantly  to  the  punishment  of  a  crime,  in  which, 
though  the  injury  had  actually  been  committed,  he  had  no  personal 
interest,  but  which  is  felt  by  each  as  a  crime  against  himself.' 

ic  The  offence  which  impiety,  real  or  imagined,  gives  to  Venera- 
tion, is  not  slow  in  calling  Destructiveness  into  exercise."  "  The 
Crusades  will  readily  occur  to  the  reader  as  exhibiting  a  fearful 
ebullition  of  Destructiveness  excited  through  the  medium  of  Ven- 
eration." 

No.  VI. 

The  errors  daily  committed  in  speaking  of  genius,  demonstrate 
strikingly  the  advantages  possessed  by  the  phrenological  doctrine 
over  the  old  philosophy.  In  Dr.  Currie's  Life  of  Burns  I  find  the 
following  passage  : — 

"  He  who  has  the  faculties  fitted  to  excel  in  poetry,  has  the  facul- 
ties which,  duly  governed,  and  differently  directed,  might  lead  to 
pre-eminence  in  other,  and,  as  far  as  respects  himself,  perhaps  in 
happier,  destinations.  The  talents  necessary  to  the  construction  of 
an  Iliad,  under  different  discipline  and  application,  might  have  led 
armies  to  victory,  or  kingdoms  to  prosperity ;  might  have  wielded 
the  thunder  of  eloquence,  or  discovered  and  enlarged  the  sciences 
that  constitute  the  power  and  improve  the  condition  of  our  species." 

This  principle  is  also  maintained  in  the  following  passage  from 
an  article  in  one  of  the  ablest  of  our  periodicals :  — 

"  Michael  Angelo,  Leonardo  da  Vinci,  Reubens,  or  Titian, 
would  have  been  illustrious  in  any  line  of  life.  Mr.  Pitt  or  Mr. 
Burke,  if  greatness  had,  in  Britain,  been  accessible  by  such  a 
channel,  would  have  made  magnificent  painters." — Blackwood's 
Mi\gazine,  vol.  xl.  p.  83. 


2*26  APPENDIX. 

Phrenology  demonstrates  the  extreme  fallacy  of  such  doctrines. 
According  to  Dr.  Currie's  view  of  the  case,  Homer  might  have 
excelled  in  science,  and  become  a  Newton ;  but,  if  this  reasoning 
is  sound,  it  follows  that  Newton — who  declared  poetry  to  be  ingen- 
ious nonsense — might  also  have  become  a  Homer,  and  written  a 
second  Iliad  instead  of  the  Principia.  The  chief  essentials  to  poeti- 
cal excellence  are  imagination,  and  the  power  of  embodying  its 
productions  in  sublime  or  beautiful  language ;  but  such  qualities 
are  in  no  respect  necessary  to  excel  in  mathematics.  Again,  al- 
though a  man  is  a  poet,  it  does  not  follow  that  he  can  command 
armies  or  rule  kingdoms  successfully,  for  both  of  these  feats  can  be 
performed  well  without  either  lofty  imagination  or  poetical  lan- 
guage ;  and  if  he  had  the  two  latter  qualities  in  the  utmost  possible 
degree,  he  would  not  make  a  better  general  or  practical  statesman 
than  if  he  wanted  them  entirely.  Demosthenes  and  Horace  prove 
that  distinguished  orators  and  poets  may  run  away  panic-struck  from 
the  field  of  battle.  Cowper  occupies  a  high  rank  as  a  poet ;  but 
was  ever  man  so  totally  destitute  of  warlike  qualities  ?  With  respect 
to  painting,  powerful  faculties  of  Form,  Size,  Constructiveness, 
Colouring,  and  Imitation,  are  essential  to  eminence  in  that  art ;  but 
of  what  use  are  they  in  eloquence  or  statesmanship  ?  None  what- 
ever :  hence  had  Pitt  and  Burke  been  destitute  of  them,  these 
highly-gifted  men  never  by  any  possibility  could  have  been  con- 
verted into  painters,  while  their  oratory  and  power  to  guide  the  helm 
of  the  state  would  not  have  been  in  the  least  degree  impaired  by  such 
a  want.  The  illustrious  artists  mentioned  in  the  quotation  were  men 
of  surprising  versatility  of  talent ;  but  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  in 
many  things  they  would  not  have  shone  with  any  degree  of  lustre. 
A  great  painter  or  orator  may  or  may  not  excel  in  other  walks ;  but 
we  never  can  infer  that  he  does  so  excel  merely  because  he  chances 
to  be  great  as  a  painter  or  orator.  If  a  man  eminent  in  one  depart- 
ment must  necessarily  excel  in  another,  why  did  Pope  try  in  vain 
to  succeed  as  a  painter  ?  We  know  that  he  made  the  attempt  ear- 
nestly, and  we  know  also  that  he  utterly  failed.  Had  he  possessed 
the  cerebral  configuration  indispensable  to  painting  as  perfectly  as 
that  which  confers  poetic  talent,  his  excellence  would  have  been 
equally  decided  in  both  departments.  Nature,  however,  while  she 
showered  upon  him  one  divine  gift,  denied  him  the  other ;  and  no 
more  could  he  have  rivalled  the  productions  of  any  master  of  the 
pictorial  art,  than  walked  under  the  armour  of  Goliath,  or  wielded 
the  club  of  Hercules.  Cicero,  in  like  manner,  although  the  greatest 
of  Roman  orators,  showed  himself,  as  a  poet,  to  be  utterly  ridiculous 
and  contemptible. 


APPENDIX.  227 


No.  VII. 


The  following  extraordinary  case  of  Homicidal  Monomania  I 
find  published  in  the  Athenaeum.  The  subject  of  it  bears  a  strong 
resemblance  to  the  character  of  Rene  Cardillac,  the  jeweller,  as 
detailed  in  Hoffman's  powerfully  written  tale,  entitled  "  Made- 
moiselle de  Scuderi :" — 

"  INSANE  ATTACHMENT  TO  BOOKS. 

"  The  Spanish  papers  contain  the  report  of  one  of  the  most  sin- 
gular trials  that  for  a  long  time  has  amused  or  interested  the  public. 
It  is  the  trial  which  has  recently  taken  place  at  Barcelona,  of  an  ex- 
Monk,  Friar  Vincente,  who  was  condemned  for  having  committed 
several  murders,  instigated  solely  by  his  love  of  books.  The  last 
murder,  that  which  led  to  the  discovery  of  the  assassin,  was  that  of 
a  poor  book-vender,  named  Patxot,  who  kept  his  shop  (a  stall) 
under  the  pillars  de  los  Encantes,  at  Barcelona.  Friar,  or  ex-friar, 
Vincente,  for  he  called  himself  Don  Vincente,  had,  on  expulsion 
from  his  convent,  established  himself  under  the  same  pillars,  for 
the  purpose  of  vending  books,  and  had  contrived  to  secure  a  good 
share  of  the  literary  riches  of  his  convent  on  his  own  shelves.  Like 
several  bibliopoles  amongst  ourselves,  Vincente,  though  fond  of 
selling,  was  still  more  desirous  of  having  and  keeping ;  and  he 
never  parted  with  a  genuine  book-treasure  without  manifest  reluc- 
tance. At  times  he  was  known  to  fly  into  a  passion,  and  abuse  the 
happy  persons  who  purchased  and  were  about  to  carry  off  an  antique 
volume. 

"  About  four  months  since  an  auction  took  place  of  the  library 
of  an  old  lawyer.  Amongst  the  books  was  a  glorious  copy  of  the 
1  Furs  e  Ordinacions  fetes  per  los  Gioriosos  Reys  de  Arago  als 
Regnicols  del  regne  de  Valencia.'  It  was  printed  in  1482,  by 
Palmart,  who  introduced  printing  into  Spain.  Patxot  desired  much 
to  have  it,  but  Vincente's  desire  was  still  greater.  The  latter  bid 
upwards  of  <£50  sterling,  but  Patxot  bid  still  higher;  and  Vincente 
was  obliged  to  abandon  it  to  his  rival.  Patxot  carried  it  off  in 
triumph,  but  Vincente  was  heard  to  murmur  vengeance.  Ere  a 
week  had  elapsed,  the  shop  of  Patxot  was  consumed  by  flames,  and 
the  body  of  the  unfortunate  bibliopole  reduced  to  ashes,  together, 
as  it  was  supposed,  with  all  his  treasures. 

"  The  authorities  did  not  think  of  inquiring  into  a  circumstance 
that  seemed  natural,  until  the  number  of  assassinations  began  to 
attract  attention.  A  German  literateur,  who  visited  Barcelona,  had 
been  found  murdered ;  a  curate  also  of  the  neighbourhood.  This 
was  at  first  attributed  to  political   causes,  until  at  length  it  was 


228  APPENDIX. 


remarked  that  all  the  victims  were  men  of  studious  habits.  An 
alcalde,  Don  Pablo  Rafael,  author  of  many  learned  works,  had  dis- 
appeared ;  a  judge,  too,  and  other  functionaries. 

"  It  was  forthwith  rumoured  that  the  Inquisition  had  been  secretly 
re-established,  and  that  a  tribunal  under  its  laws  held  mysterious 
sittings,  and  pronounced  these  fearful  sentences,  so  fearfully  exe- 
cuted. Search  was  made  at  the  domiciles  of  all  persons  supposed 
likely  to  belong  to  such  a  society  ;  and,  in  pursuance  of  this  suspi- 
cion, the  shop  of  Don,  or  Friar,  Vincente  was  searched.  Nothing 
was  found  but  books.  The  Corregidor  seized  one  of  these,  the 
*  Directorium  Inquisitorum  •  of  Gironne,  as  relating  to  his  object ; 
when  the  removal  of  the  volume  caused  another  to  fall,  which  had 
been  secreted  behind  it.  This  was  picked  up,  and  opened,  and 
proved  to  be  the  '  Furs  e  Ordinacions,'  the  volume  purchased  so 
dearly  at  the  sale  by  poor  Patxot,  and  which  was  now  found  in  the 
possession  of  his  rival  bidder.     The  search  was  continued,  and 

another  book  was  found,  which  had  belonged  to  Don  Pablo  N , 

another  victim.  Vincente  was  seized,  confined,  menaced,  and  at 
length  promised  to  confess,  upon  one  condition, — viz.,  that  his  col- 
lection of  books  should  not  be  scattered  or  sold  to  different  persons. 
Satisfied  in  this  respect,  Vincente  made  a  clean  breast,  and  repeated 
his  confession,  with  full  explanations  respecting  his  conduct,  on  the 
day  of  his  trial. 

"  Placed  at  the  bar,  Vincente  appeared,  a  little,  stout,  dark,  man, 
with  ruddy  and  open  countenance^  Having  made  the  sign  of  the 
cross,  he  thus  began  :  — 

"  *  I  will  tell  the  truth ;  I  have  promised  it.  If  I  have  been 
guilty,  it  has  been  with  good  intentions.  I  wished  to  enrich  science, 
and  preserve  its  treasures.  If  I  have  done  ill,  punish  me ;  but 
leave  my  books  together— they  have  done  no  harm.  It  was  most 
reluctantly  I  consented  to  sell  my  first  precious  book  to  a  curate. 
St.  John  is  witness  I  did  my  utmost  to  disgust  him  with  it.  I  told 
him  it  was  a  bad  copy,  had  a  page  in  manuscript,  &c.  ;  all  would 
not  do ;  he  paid  the  price,  and  went  away.  As  he  walked  off, 
along  the  Calle  Ancho,  I  followed  him,  begged  him  to  take  back 
his  money,  and  return  the  book.  He  refused ;  and  whilst  I  was 
entreating  him,  we  reached  a  lone  place.  Wearied  with  his  obsti- 
nacy, I  took  out  my  dagger,  and  stabbed  him,  rolled  him  into  the 
ditch,  and  covered  him  with  branches,  and  carried  home  my  pre- 
cious volume,  which  I  see  yonder  on  the  table.' 

"  The  President  then  asked  if  this  was  the  only  time  he  had 
killed  persons  for  their  books.  Vincente  replied  :  *  My  library  is 
too  well  stocked  for  that :  no  se  gano  Zamora  en  una  hora — Rome 
was  not  built  in  a  day.' 

"  The  President  bade  him  explain  how  he  had  dispatched  the 
other  victims.     Vincente  replied ;  *  Nothing  more  simple.     When 


APPENDIX.  229 

I  found  a  purchaser  so  obstinate  as  that  he  would  have  the  volume, 
I  tore  out  some  pages,  well  aware  that  he  would  come  back  for 
them.  When  he  did,  I  drew  him  into  an  inner  room,  under  pre- 
tence of  replacing  the  pages,  and  then  dispatched  him.  My  arm 
never  failed  me.' 

"  '  Did  not  your  heart  revolt  at  thus  destroying  the  image  of  your 
Maker  ?' 

"  *  Men  are  mortal ;  they  die  sooner  or  later.  But  books  are 
not  so  ;  they  are  immortal,  and  merit  more  interest.' 

si '  And  you  committed  murder  merely  for  books  ?' 

" '  And  for  what  more  would  you  ?  Books  are  the  gloria  de 
dios' — (the  glory  of  God.) 

"  '  And  Patxot,  how  did  you  murder  him  ?' 

" '  I  got  in  by  the  window,  found  him  asleep,  threw  a  soaped 
cord  about  his  neck,  and  strangled  him.  When  he  was  dead  I  took 
off  the  cord,  set  fire  to  the  bed,  and  withdrew.' 

"  The  advocate  of  Vincente  endeavoured  to  invalidate  the  evi- 
dence, by  proving  that  the  copy  of  the  work  which  Patxot  had 
bought  was  not  unique.  This  he  succeeded  in  proving ;  and  which 
affected  his  client  more  than  anything  else, — more  even  than  his 
sentence.  Notwithstanding,  he  was  condemned  to  the  penalty  of 
the  garrote — (strangulation.") 

No.  VIII. 

PRACTICAL   DIRECTIONS  FOR  THE  PHRENOLOGICAL  EXAMINATION 
OF  HEADS. 

In  the  fourth  edition  of  Mr.  Combe's  "  System  of  Phrenology," 
vol.  i.  p.  110 — 130,  ample  details  are  given  with  respect  to  the 
points  to  be  attended  to,  in  making  a  prenological  survey  of  the 
head.  By  the  permission  of  that  gentleman,  I  subjoin  some  of 
his  remarks  on  this  important  subject;  more  of  them,  indeed,  than, 
without  such  permission,  I  should  have  considered  myself  at  liberty 
to  extract. 

"  As  size,  cceteris  paribus,  is  a  measure  of  power,  the  first  object 
ought  to  be  to  distinguish  the  size  of  the  brain  generally,  so  as  to 
judge  whether  it  be  large  enough  to  admit  of  manifestations  of 
ordinary  vigour ;  for,  as  we  have  already  seen,  if  it  be  too  small, 
idiocy  is  the  invariable  consequence.  The  second  object  should 
be  to  ascertain  the  relative  proportions  of  the  different  parts,  so  as 
to  determine  the  direction  in  which  the  power  is  greatest. 

"  It  is  proper  to  begin  with  observation  of  the  more  palpable 
differences  in  size,  and  particularly Fto  attend  to  the  relative  propor- 
tions of  the  different  lobes.     The  size  of  the  anterior  lobe  is  the 


230  APPENDIX. 

measure  of  intellect.  In  the  brain  it  is  easily  distinguished,  and 
in  the  living  head  it  is  indicated  by  the  proportion  lying  before 
Constructiveness  and  Benevolence.  Sometimes  the  lower  part  of 
the  frontal  lobe,  connected  with  the  perceptive  faculties,  is  the 
largest,  and  this  is  indicated  by  the  space  before  Constructiveness 
extending  farthest  forward  at  the  base;  sometimes  the  upper  part, 
connected  with  the  reflecting  powers,  is  the  most  amply  developed, 
in  which  case  the  projection  is  greatest  in  the  upper  region ;  and 
sometimes  both  are  equally  developed.  The  student  is  particularly 
requested  to  resort  invariably  to  this  mode  of  estimating  the  size 
of  the  anterior  lobe,  as  the  best  for  avoiding  mistakes.  In  some 
individuals,  the  forehead  is  tolerably  perpendicular,  so  that,  seen 
in  front,  and  judging  of  without  attending  to  longitudinal  depth,  it 
appears  to  be  largely  developed;  whereas,  when  viewed  in  the 
way  now  pointed  out,  it  is  seen  to  be  extremely  shallow.  In  other 
words,  the  mass  is  not  large,  and  the  intellectual  manifestations  will 
be  proportionately  feeble. 

"  Besides  the  projection  of  the  forehead,  its  vertical  and  lateral 
dimensions  require  to  be  attended  to ;  a  remark  which  applies  to 
all  the  organs  individually — each  having,  of  course,  like  other 
objects,  the  three  dimensions  of  length,  breadth,  and  thickness. 

"  The  posterior  lobe  is  devoted  chiefly  to  the  animal  propensities. 
In  the  brain  its  size  is  easily  distinguished;  and  in  the  living  head 
a  perpendicular  line  may  be  drawn  through  the  mastoid  process, 
and  all  behind  will  belong  to  the  posterior  lobe.  Wherever  this 
and  the  basilar  region  are  large,  the  animal  feelings  will  be  strong, 
and  vice  versa. 

"  The  coronal  region  of  the  brain  is  the  seat  of  the  moral  senti- 
ments; and  its  size  may  be  estimated  by  the  extent  of  elevation  and 
expansion  of  the  head  above  the  organs  of  Causality  in  the  fore- 
head, and  of  Cautiousness  in  the  middle  of  the  parietal  bones. 
When  the  whole  region  of  the  brain  rising  above  these  organs  is 
shallow  and  narrow,  the  moral  feelings  will  be  weakly  manifested ; 
when  high  and  expanded,  they  will  be  vigorously  displayed. 

"  After  becoming  familiar  with  the  general  size  and  configuration 
of  heads,  the  student  may  proceed  to  the  observation  of  individual 
organs;  and,  in  studying  them,  the  real  dimensions,  including 
length,  breadth,  and  thickness,  and  not  the  mere  prominence  of 
each  organ,  should  be  looked  for. 

"  The  length  of  an  organ,  including  its  supposed  apparatus  of 
communication,  is  ascertained  by  the  distance  from  the  medulla 
oblongata  to  the  peripheral  surface.  A  line  passing  through  the 
head  from  one  ear  to  the  other,  would  nearly  touch  the  medulla 
oblongata,  and  hence  the  external  opening  of  the  ear  is  assumed  as 
a  convenient  point  from  which  to  estimate  length.  The  breadth 
of  an  organ  is  judged  of  by  its  peripheral  expansion;  for  it  is  a 


APPENDIX.  231 

general  law  of  physiology,  that  the  breadth  of  an  organ  throughout 
its  whole  course  bears  a  relation  to  its  expansion  at  the  surface : 
the  optic  and  olfactory  nerves  are  examples  in  point. 

"  The  whole  organs  in  a  head  should  be  examined,  and  their 
relative  proportions  noted.  Errors  may  be  committed  at  first ;  but 
without  practice,  there  will  be  no  expertness.  Practice,  with  at  least 
an  average  endowment  of  the  organs  of  Form,  Size,  Individuality, 
and  Locality,  are  necessary  to  qualify  a  person  to  make  observations 
with  success.  Individuals  whose  heads  are  narrow  between  the 
eyes,  and  little  developed  at  the  top  of  the  nose,  where  these  organs 
are  placed,  experience  great  difficulty  in  distinguishing  the  situa- 
tions and  minute  shades  in  the  proportions  of  different  organs.  If 
one  organ  be  much  developed,  and  the  neighbouring  organs  very- 
little,  the  developed  organ  will  present  an  elevation  or  protuberance ; 
but  if  the  neighbouring  organs  be  developed  in  proportion,  no 
protuberance  can  be  perceived,  and  the  surface  is  smooth.  The 
student  should  learn  from  books,  plates,  imd  casts,  or  personal 
instruction  (and  the  last  is  by  far  the  best,)  to  distinguish  the  form 
of  each  organ,  and  its  appearance  when  developed  in  different 
proportions  to  the  others,  because  there  are  slight  modifications  in 
the  position  of  them  in  each  head. 

"  The  penological  bust  shows  the  situations  of  the  organs,  and 
their  proportions,  only  in  one  head;  and  it  is  impossible  by  it  to 
communicate  more  information.  The  different  appearances  in  all 
the  varieties  of  relative  size,  must  be  discovered  by  inspecting  a 
number  of  heads ;  and  especially  by  contrasting  instances  of  extreme 
development  with  others  of  extreme  deficiency.  No  adequate  idea 
of  the  foundation  of  the  science  can  be  formed  until  this  is  done. 
In  cases  of  extreme  size  of  single  organs,  a  close  approximation  to 
the  form  delineated  on  the  bust,  (leaving  angles  out  of  view)  is 
distinctly  perceived. 

"  The  question  will  perhaps  occur — If  the  relative  proportions 
of  the  organs  differ  in  each  individual,  and  if  the  phrenological 
bust  represents  only  their  most  common  proportions,  how  are  their 
boundaries  to  be  distinguished  in  any  particular  living  head?  The 
answer  is,  By  their  forms  and  appearances.  Each1  organ  has  a  form, 
appearance,  and  situation,  which  it  is  possible,  by  practice,  to 
distinguish  in  the  living  head,  otherwise  Phrenology  cannot  have 
any  foundation. 

"  When  one  organ  is  very  largely  developed,  it  encroaches  on 
the  space  usually  occupied  by  the  neighbouring  organs,  the  situa- 
tions of  which  are  thereby  slightly  altered.  When  this  occurs,  it 
may  be  distinguished  by  the  greatest  prominence  being  near  the 
centre  of  the  large  organ,  and  the  swelling  extending  over  a  portion 
only  of  the  other.  In  these  cases  the  shape  should  be  attended  to  ; 
for  the  form  of  the  organ  is  then  easily  recognised,  and  is  a  sure 


23*2  APPENDIX. 


indication  of  the  particular  one  which  is  largely  developed.  The 
observer  should  learn,  by  inspecting  a  skull,  to  distinguish  the 
mastoid  process  behind  the  ear,  as  also  bony  excrescences  sometimes 
formed  by  the  sutures,  and  several  bony  prominences  which  occur 
in  every  head,  from  elevations  produced  by  development  of  brain. 

"  In  observing  the  appearance  of  individual  organs,  it  is  proper 
to  begin  with  the  largest,  and  select  extreme  cases.  The  mask  of 
Mr.  Joseph  Hume  may  be  contrasted  with  that  of  Dr.  Chalmers 
for  Ideality ;  the  organ  being  much  larger  in  the  latter  than  in  the 
former.  The  casts  of  the  skulls  of  Burns  and  Haggart  may  be 
compared  at  the  same  part;  the  difference  being  equally  conspicu- 
ous. The  cast  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  M.  may  be  contrasted  with 
that  of  Dempsey,  in  the  region  of  Love  of  Approbation;  the  former 
having  this  organ  large,  and  the  latter  small.  Self- Esteem  in  the 
latter,  being  exceedingly  large,  may  be  compared  with  the  same 
organ  in  the  skull  of  Dr.  Hette,  in  whom  Love  of  Approbation  is 
much  larger  than  Self-Esteem.  Destructiveness  in  Bellingham 
may  be  compared  with  the  same  organ  in  the  skulls  of  the  Hindoos ; 
the  latter  people  being  in  general  tender  of  life.  Firmness  large, 
and  Conscientiousness  deficient,  in  King  Robert  Bruce,  may  be 
compared  with  the  same  organs  reversed  in  the  cast  of  the  head  of 
a  lady  (Mrs.  H.)  which  is  sold  as  illustrative  of  these  organs.  The 
object  of  .making  these  contrasts  is  to  obtain  an  idea  of  the  different 
appearances  presented  by  organs,  when  very  large  and  very  small. 

••  The  terms  used  by  the  Edinburgh  phrenologists  to  denote  the 
gradations  of  size  in  the  different  organs,  in  an  increasing  ratio,  are 
Very  small  Moderate  Rather  large 

Small  Rather  full  Large 

Rather  small  Full  Very  large. 

"  Sir  John  Ross  has  suggested,  that  numerals  may  be  applied 
with  advantage  to  the  notation  of  development.  He  uses  decimals ; 
but  these  appear  unnecessarily  minute.  The  end  in  view  may  be 
attained  by  such  a  scale  as  is  given  in  Appendix  No.  I. 

"  With  respect  to  the  practical  employment  of  the  scale  above 
described,  it  is  proper  to  remark,  that  as  each  phrenologist  attaches 
to  the  terms  small,  moderate,  full,  &c.  shades  of  meaning  perfectly 
known  only  to  himself  and  those  accustomed  to  observe  heads 
along  with  him,  the  separate  statements  of  the  development  of  a 
particular  head  by  two  phrenologists,  are  not  likely  to  correspond 
entirely  with  each  ether.  It  ought  to  be  kept  in  mind,  also,  that 
these  terms  indicate  only  the  relative  proportions  of  the  organs  to 
each  other  in  the  same  head;  but  as  the  different  organs  may  bear 
the  same  proportions  in  a  small  and  in  a  large  head,  the  terms 
mentioned  do  not  enable  the  reader  to  discover  whether  the  head 
treated  of  be,  in  its  general  magnitude,  small,  moderate,  or  large. 
To  supply  this  information,  measurement  by  callipers  is  resorted  to ; 


APPENDIX.  233 


but  this  is  used  not  to  indicate  the  dimensions  of  particular  organs, 
for  which  purpose  they  are  not  adapted,  but  merely  to  indicate 
the  general  size  of  the  head. 

"  It  ought  to  be  kept  constantly  in  view,  in  the  practical  appli- 
cation of  Phrenology,  that  it  is  the  size  of  each  organ  in  proportion 
to  the  others  in  the  head  of  the  individual  observed,  and  not  their 
absolute  size,  or  their  size  in  reference  to  any  standard  head,  that 
determines  the  predominance  in  him  of  particular  talents  or  dis- 
positions." 


BELL  AND  BAIN,  PRINTERS,  GLASGOW. 


id  L      ©  : 


Deacidified  using  the  Bookkeeper  process. 
Neutralizing  agent:  Magnesium  Oxide 
Treatment  Date:  Nov.  2004 

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^    ^  Cranberry  Township,  PA  16066 

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